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VETERINARY SCIENCE ASSOCIATION 
OF AMERICA 



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V NOTES ON 

DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

CAUSE, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 



CHARLES J. KORINEK, V.S. 

Graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College, in affiliation with 
the University of Toronto, Canada. Hon. Member of the On- 
tario Veterinary Medical Society. Ex. State Veterinarian for 
Oregon. Ex. President of the Oregon State Veterinary Medical 
Board of Examiners. Author of "The Veterinarian". Princi- 
pal of the Veterinary Science Association of America. Sixteen 
years of Practical Experience as a Veterinary Surgeon. 




PUBLISHED BY THE 

VETERINARY SCIENCE ASSOCIATION 
OF AMERICA 



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COPYRIGHT 1917 

by the 

VETERINARY SCIENCE ASSOCIATION 

OF AMERICA 




Gl, A 4 5 3 7 1 3 



JAN 22 J9I7 



PREFACE 

This treatise on the diseases of horses has heen 
written with the primary purpose of placing in the hands 
of the Student and the Veterinary Profession, a book 
of practical worth; hence, all unnecessary padding is 
omitted, so that the reader may quickly grasp the knowl- 
edge of the subject or disease for which he may be 
seeking. 

The treatment suggested in each case is one I have 
used and found efficient in my many years of practice. 

If my readers will study and follow the directions 
carefully, they will save themselves, as well as their 
neighbors, much unnecessary loss. My confidence in 
this accomplishment is my reward for my labor in be- 
half of our faithful servant the Horse. 

Charles J. Korinek^ V. S. 



Ill 



DISEASES OF THE 

HORSE 



CAUSE, SYMPTOMS AND 
TREATMENT 



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Location of Parts of the Horse 



1. Mouth. 

2. Nostrils. 

3. Nose. 

4. Face. 

5. Eye. 

6. Forehead. 

7. Ears. 

8. Poll. 

9. Throat lach. 

10. Jaw. 

11. Chin. 

12. Windpipe. 

13. Neck. 

14. Crest. 

15. Withers. 

16. Shoulder bed. 

17. Chest. 

18. Shoulders. 

19. Forearm. 

20. Knees. 

21. Cannons. 

22. Fetlock. 



23. Pasterns. 

24. Feet. 

25. Feather. 
251^. Elbow. 

26. Flank. 

27. Heart girth. 

28. Back. 

29. Loin. 

30. Hip bone. 

31. Coupling. 

32. Ribs. 

33. Belly. 

34. Rear flank. 

35. Stifle. 

36. Thigh. 

37. Buttock. 

38. Croup. 

39. Tail. 

40. Quarters. 

41. Lower thigh. 

42. Hocks. 



THE USE OF THE CLINICAL THERMOMETER 

This instrument is employed for taking the internal 
temperature of the body, which is most conveniently 
done by placing the instrument for about three minutes 
in the animal's rectum. Owing to the almost general 
adoption of this method, the expression "internal tem- 
perature" is used as a rule to signify "rectal tempera- 
ture"; although the respective temperatures of different 
parts of the body vary to a slight extent. The practice 
of placing the thermometer in the mouth, as is the cus- 
tom in human medicine, is not suitable to animals, owing 
to the danger of the patient breaking the glass instru- 
ment with the teeth. 

The indications afforded by the clinical thermometer 
are valuable guides as to the state of the animal's health 
at the time, or what it will shortly be. Thus, in a horse 
at rest under ordinary conditions, if there be a rise of 
three or four degrees without the animal evincing any 
other sign of illness, we may be assured that disease in 
some form will, after a day or two, manifest itself in him. 
During illness, a temperature of, say, 106° F. or more 
points to a condition of great danger. 

The clinical thermometer is especially useful in indi- 
cating the state of an animal during infective diseases 
and diseases of the organs of breathing. A fall in tem- 
perature, when it has been abnormally high, will gener- 
ally point to a favorable termination of the disease; al- 
though in some cases it is the precursor of rapidly ap- 
proaching death. 



DISEASES OF THE HORSE 



TEMPERATURE DURING HEALTH. 

As a rule, there is a daily variation in the internal 
temperature of a healthy animal of about 1° F.; the 
maximum being attained at about 6 o'clock in the even- 
ing. In the adult animal, the temperature is about 1° 
F. higher than in a very young or very old animal. It 
is about 1° F. less in the female than in the male, except 
when she is "in season," during which time it is about 
2° F. higher than normal. The temperature of well- 
bred animals is higher than that of common animals. A 
rise of 4>° or 5° F., compatible with health, may be ob- 
served in animals during violent exercise or work in hot 
weather. The temperature of well-fed animals is higher 
than that of poorly-fed ones. During digestion, it rises 
about 1° F., and falls about the same amount during 
sleep. Exposure to the rays of a hot sun for a few hours 
may cause a rise of as much as 3° F., and the effects of 
cold and rain may equally lower it. 

Normal Temperature of the Horse. — 

From 2 to 5 years old the temperature is 100.6° F. 

From 5 to 10 years old the temperature is 100.4° F. 

From 10 to 15 years old the temperature is 100° F. 

From 15 to 20 years old the temperature is 98.4° to 
100.2° F. 

New born foals' temperature will run from 102° to 
104° F. 

Temperature of Cattle. — Normal temperature is 
from 101.8° to 102° F. Compared with the horse, the 
daily variations are small. 

Temperature of Sheep and Goats. — In these ani- 
mals the greatest variation in temperature occurs, viz. : 
100.9° to 105.8° F. In the majority of cases the temper- 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT / 

ature probably will be between 103.6° and 104.4° F. The 
cause of this variation is unknown. 

Tempeeature of Swine. — The average tempera- 
ture is 103.3° F., varying from 100.9° to 105.4° F. 

Temperature of the Dog. — ^^The dog is subject to 
important variations depending on the external tempera- 
ture; it varies from 99.5° to 101.7° F., although in some 
localities it is as high as 100.9° to 101.3° F. Feeding will 
increase the temperature, and it is also higher towards 
evening. 

PULSE. 

Pulse Feeling. — Pulse are usually taken at the 
lower jaw; its character there being better marked than 
at other convenient situations. The artery may be felt 
underneath the lower jaw, just in front of the fleshy part 
of the cheek. On passing the fingers of the hand over 
the spot, two vessels can be distinguished lying closely 
together; one, the duct which conveys saliva from the 
parotid gland into the mouth ; the other, the artery which 
supplies the face with blood. The middle finger should 
be applied so as to gently press the artery against the in- 
ner surface of the bone. The ball of the thumb should 
not be placed on the outside of the jaw, lest the operator 
might mistake the pulsation of the artery of his thumb 
for that of the patient's artery. 

Very frequently the indication of the artery of the 
fore-arm is the one adopted. This vessel is on the inner 
side of the fore-arm, and may be felt by inserting the 
hand, from the front, between the breast and fore-arm, 
and feeling for the slightly prominent head of the bone 
just below the elbow joint. 

The pulse can be felt at other parts of the body, but 
those mentioned are more practical. 

Pulse. — The pulse in the horse, as in other animals, 
is of great importance; it tells the number and the 



8 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

force of the heart beats. When taking pulse endeavor to 
keep the animal as quiet as possible, for if you excite 
him, you will find the pulse increased several beats, and 
after standing some time it will again fall. Pulse varies 
in different animals; slower in heavier horses, quicker 
in highly nervous animals. It may vary five or ten beats 
per minute, and the animal still be in perfect health. 
There are various kinds of pulsations, as the result of cer- 
tain diseases, the quick, slow, large, hard, soft, frequent 
and infrequent. The strong, full pulse may be present, 
and consistent with good health ; exercise will change the 
pulse to a considerable extent. But if the animal is suf- 
fering from disease, and then the pulse is of a wiry char- 
acter, it is characteristic of the sthenic type of inflamma- 
tion. Suppose an animal has been standing in the sta- 
ble, and is attacked with lymphangitis, the pulse is 
full, bounding, wiry, characteristic of inflammation of 
the bowels, punctures of the feet, inflammation of the 
joints, etc. The weak, small pulse is indicative of debil- 
ity, showing inflammation of an esthetic type. It may 
occur in influenza and catarrh. The oppressed pulse is 
characteristic of congestion and inflammation of the 
lungs ; you would think the heart had great difficulty in 
propelling the blood forward. The throbbing pulse is 
characteristic of inflammation in certain parts. In 1am- 
initis there is, perhaps, the best example of the throbbing 
pulse, beating quickly, with a peculiar throbbing sensa- 
tion, especially in any inflammatory action in the vascu- 
lar structures of the feet, making the circulation diffi- 
cult. A slow pulse is characteristic of cerebral disease, 
but if only twenty-eight or thirty you may say at once it 
is cerebral disease; if it is accompanied by a comatose 
condition, then it is indicative of this disease. The inter- 
mitting pulse is found where the animal has suffered 
from some debilitating disease, as influenza, distemper, 
catarrh, etc. Although it must in some cases be looked 
upon with suspicion, it is not generally very alarming, 
but if there is a change for the worse, and this pulse, it is 
unfavorable. The fluttering and almost imperceptible 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT V 

pulse indicates great change in the system, as in the latter 
stages of enteritis ( inflammation of the bowels ) , pleurisy, 
pneumonia, etc., especially in enteritis ; if a case where the 
pulse is forty, fifty or sixty per minute, and changes, 
and runs up to eighty or a hundred and becomes indis- 
tinct, it is indicative of approaching dissolution. These 
are the varieties of pulse, and due to the manner in which 
disease attacks the various organs. You may meet with 
a case at one hundred and twenty-five where it may re- 
cover, but higher than this will no doubt prove fatal. The 
pulse in the young is much more rapid than in the adult 
animal ; that of a foal at birth beats one hundred to one 
hundred and two per minute, while that of a calf will go 
to one hundred and thirty per minute. In old age the 
pulsation becomes reduced and the arteries much weaker. 
The pulse rate in large animals is less than in smaller 
twenty-five to twenty-eight beats per minute. The more 
rapid the pulse, the greater the quantity of blood in cir- 
culation. 

The Normal Pulse Throbs Per Minute of Domes- 
tic Animals — 

Per Minute. 

The horse 36 to 42 

Cattle 45 to 50 

Sheep and goats 70 to 80 

The dog 70 to 80 

Swine 90 to 100 

By taking the pulse we can form some idea of the 
character of the disease. 



10 DISEASES or THE HORSE 



ABORTION IN MARES. 

Cause. — Quality and quantity of food, poorly 
lighted, ventilated or drained stables, mare falling or 
slipping, sprains, kicks, hard, fast work or eating poison- 
ous vegetation. 

Symptoms. — Mare will show signs of colic, the outer 
portion of the womb will be swollen, and if the colicky 
symptoms continue there will be a watery discharge 
and the membranes covering the foetus or foal will be- 
come noticeable. The animal strains when lying down 
or getting up. 

Treatment. — Place the animal in comfortable quar- 
ters and blanket if chilly. When colicky pains are 
present treat the same as for spasmodic colic. To stop 
the straining and labor pains, give Tincture Opii one 
ounce, placing in gelatin capsule and give with capsule 
gun every two hours. One to two doses, however, are 
generally sufficient as the mare will either abort or the 
dangerous period will have passed. Keep the animal 
quiet and feed good nutritious food and pure water with 
chill taken off in small quantities but often. Disinfect 
the mare's quarters thoroughly. A good general tonic 
should be used in this condition, one that will strengthen 
and assist nature to throw off impurities from the blood, 
such as Sodium Hyposulphite, eight ounces; Potassi 
Iodide, one ounce. Make into eight powders and give 
one powder two or three times a day in drinking water. 

ABSCESS. 

Cause. — Bruises and injuries. Abscesses are also 
seen in complications with various diseases, perhaps the 
most common being distemper, laryngitis, etc. 



CAUSEj SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 1 1 

Symptoms. — Symptoms will vary, of course, accord- 
ing to the development of the disease. It may not be 
noticed at first, but upon careful examination small 
tortuous lines will be observed running from the point of 
irritation. In many cases a swelling is noticed which is 
hot, painful and throbbing and enlarges rapidly. In 
two or three days the soreness and heat gradually sub- 
side, but the abscess continues to grow. The hair falls 
from the affected parts and in a short time the abscess 
discharges, and the cavity gradually fills up and heals 
by granulation. 

Treatment. — In all cases hasten the ripening pro- 
cess as much as possible by applying hot water packs 
or hot bran, flaxseed or vegetable poultices. It is com- 
or hot bran, flaxseed or vegetable poultices. It will usu- 
ally be found a safe plan to encourage the full ripening of 
an abscess and allow it to open of its own accord, as it will 
heal much better and quicker and you take no chances 
of infection with an instrument. When opened do not 
squeeze the abscess to any extent, but press gently with 
clean hands or cloth, to remove the clot, and after this 
simply keep open by washing the abscess with a three 
per cent Carbolic Acid solution or Bichloride of Mer- 
cury, one part to one thousand parts of water. When 
an animal has abscesses it is well to give the following 
blood purifiers or internal antiseptics : Hyposulphite of 
Soda, eight ounces ; Potassi Iodide, one ounce. Mix well 
and make into eight powders and give one powder twice 
daily in drinking water, or place in gelatin capsule and 
administer with capsule gun. This prescription will 
prevent the absorption of impurities from the abscess 
into the blood. 

ANEMIA. 

Cause. — Insufficient quality and quantity of food, 
insanitary surroundings, overwork, lack of exercise, 
drains on the system from acute or chronic diseases. 



12 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

worms ; and can also be brought about by excessive heat, 
cold or pressure and lessening of the calibre of the 
arteries, poisons in the blood, suppurating wounds, re- 
peated purging or bleedings. 

Symptoms. — The visible mucous membranes of the 
nose, eyes and mouth are pale and sometimes have a 
yellow appearance. There is weakness, temperature of 
the body is lower than normal ; pulse weak, legs cold to 
the feet, cold sweats are often present, breathing is 
quickened, especially in its last stages, animals tire 
easily, appetite and digestion become poor, swelling of 
the legs and the under surface of the abdomen, sheath 
and udder ; the skin becomes rough and dry. 

Treatment. — Remove the cause if possible in its 
first stages, or when first noticed. Give a physic of 
Calomel, two scruples; Aloin, two drams; Pulv. Gentian, 
two drams; Ginger, two drams. Place in gelatin capsule 
and give at one dose with capsule gun. Also, administer 
the following: Arsenious Acid, one dram; Ferri Sul- 
phate, three ounces ; Pulv. Gentian, three ounces ; Pulv. 
Fenugreek Seed, three ounces, and Pulv. Anise Seed, 
three ounces. Mix well and make into twenty powders. 
Give one powder three times a day in feed, or place in 
gelatin capsule and give with capsule gun. Endeavor 
to build up the condition of the animal by the proper 
quantity and quality of food. Give pure water to drink, 
also provide sanitary conditions, as pure air, sunlight if 
possible. Turn out to grass when the weather is favor- 
able. This treatment should be continued until the ani- 
mal shows sign of improvement. However, the adminis- 
tration of physics should be given with great care so as 
not to produce superpurgation of the bowels (scours), 
as physics in this condition would tend to weaken the 
animal. 

It is to be borne in mind that pure water and nour- 
ishing food play a very important part in the treatment 
of Anemia. 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 13 

APHTHAE. 

(Sore mouth and tongue — Pustular Stomatitis) 

Cause. — Superficial eruptions of the mucous mem- 
brances of the mouth and tongue. Frequently seen dur- 
ing convalescence of intermittent fever. This condition 
may also follow diseases of the digestive system, as In- 
digestion, etc., due to the blood absorbing toxic ma- 
terials which break out in the form of pustules about the 
mouth and the whole alimentary canal ( stomach and in- 
testines). 

Symptoms. — The appetite is impaired, the mouth 
hot, the pulse not much affected as a rule, the tempera- 
ture is slightly elevated, the animal is unable to masticate, 
and small vesicles appear and eventually terminate into 
pustules and burst and discharge a small amount of pus 
at the parts where the sores are the deepest. 

Treatment. — Remove the cause if possible. Feed 
clean, soft food that is easily digested, as hot wheat bran 
mashes and steamed rolled oats, vegetables, etc. For a 
mouth-wash dissolve the following: One dram of Cop- 
per Sulphate, one dram of Chlorate of Potash, one dram 
of Boracic Acid in clean hot water, and syringe out the 
mouth two or three times a day. To the drinking water 
add one ounce of Hyposulphite of Soda twice a day. 
Where the appetite is impaired, administer the follow- 
ing: Pulv. Nux Vomica, Pulv. Gentian Root, Pulv. 
Iron, Pulv. Nitrate of Potash each two ounces. Mix and 
make into sixteen capsules and give one capsule three 
times a day with capsule gun. 

AZOTURIA. 

Cause. — This disease is usually due to work after a 
period of idleness, during which the animal has been 
liberally fed. It is found principally among highly-fed 
draft horses, and never in animals which are regularly 



14 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

worked. Light breeds of horses are also susceptible to 
this disease. 

Symptoms. — Attack is sudden and usually appears 
when the horse has traveled a short distance after hav- 
ing been stabled for a few days. The characteristic 
symptoms of this disease in an animal are : Excitability 
without apparent cause; actions seem to indicate injury 
of the hind quarters or loins. Animal has a peculiar 
goose-rumped look, owing to the muscles over the 
quarters being violently contracted, and are hard on 
pressure. One hind limb is generally advanced in front 
of the other, and on attempting to put weight on it, the 
hind quarters will drop until at times the hocks almost 
touch the ground. Sometimes a front leg is affected. 
The breathing is hurried. Animal is bathed in sweat, 
and is in such agony that it will seize almost anything 
with its teeth. Although the pulse is hard and frequent, 
the internal temperature, even in severe cases, seldom 
rises to any marked extent. The urine is dark-red to 
dirty -brown color. Owing to the stoppage of the worm- 
like movement of the bowels, there is generally constipa- 
tion and retention of the urine. Sometimes the symp- 
toms are milder than here described. In other cases 
the animal soon falls to the ground and continues to 
struggle in a delirious, half- paralyzed state until he dies. 
Sometimes this disease is mistaken for colic or acute 
indigestion, but it can be readily distinguished by the 
color of the urine. 

Treatment. — At the first symptom, stop and 
blanket the animal and let stand from one to three hours. 
Then move to the nearest shelter, keeping the animal as 
quiet and comfortable as possible, as excitement ag- 
gravates the disease. Give Aloin, two drams; Ginger, 
two drams, in capsule, and administer with capsule gun. 
Also, give the following prescription: Potassi Nitrate, 
eight ounces; Sodii Bicarbonate, eight ounces; Potassi 
Iodide, one and one-half ounces. Mix well and make into 
thirty-two powders. Give one powder in drinking water 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 15 

every four hours, or in capsule, and give with capsule 
gun. Injections of soap and warm water per rectum 
are beneficial. Immerse a blanket in hot water and 
place over loins, then covering with a dry blanket, or, 
if this is impossible, apply the following liniment : Aqua 
Ammonia Fort., two ounces; Turpentine, two ounces; 
Sweet Oil, four ounces, and rub in like a shampoo over 
the loins. It may be necessary to draw off the urine, 
which is sometimes retained. Allow the animal to drink 
often, though in small quantities, of pure water with 
the chill taken off. If he is unable to stand on his feet 
it is well to turn him from side to side every six hours. 
It is also advisable to fill bags with hay and place against 
his shoulders to prevent him from lying flat on his side, 
as this may cause congestion of the lungs. Avoid drench- 
ing — it is dangerous. Should the animal show signs of 
uneasiness, give one ounce of Potassi Bromide in the 
drinking water every four hours until the excitement 
has subsided. 

BARRENNESS. 

(Failure to Breed) 

Cause. — Contraction of the neck of the womb, 
growths on or in the ovaries, Whites or Leucorrhea. The 
first is the only form of barrenness which responds 
readily to treatment. 

Symproms. — A mare may come in heat normally, or 
stay in heat continually, or not come in heat at all. 

Treatment. — Wash the hands in some antiseptic 
solution, such as Carbolic Acid or Bichloride of Mer- 
cury, and see that the finger-nails are smooth. Grease 
the hand and arm with vaseline and proceed to dilate 
the neck of the womb. It may be difficult at first to in- 
sert the finger, but the opening will gradually enlarge. 
Work slowly and carefully until three fingers may be 
inserted. Breeding should follow about three hours 
after the womb has been dilated. 



16 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

BLEEDING. 

(Hemorrhage) 

Bleeding sometimes follows operations as castration 
and wounds due to various eauses. 

Treatment. — When bleeding from a large artery, 
it should be tied with a clean silk or linen thread or twist- 
ed with a pair of forceps or cauterized with a hot iron. 
Sometimes compression by the use of tightly bound ban- 
dages proves effective, although the former appliances 
are more practical. Tincture chloride of iron, applied 
to small arteries or veins, causes the blood to clot in the 
arteries or veins, and hence stops the hemorrhage. It is 
very essential that all wounds should be treated antisep- 
tically and I cannot say that I am in favor of washing a 
wound with water only in cases where the wound is very 
filthy, and I prefer powder applications in preference 
to any liquid antiseptics. The following will be found 
very effective in the treatment of the majority of 
wounds: Boracic acid, two ounces; iodoform, two 
drams; tannic acid, two ounces; calomel, one dram; 
powder finely and mix well. Place in sifter top can and 
apply two or three times daily. 

BLOOD POISONING. 

(Septicaemia or Pyemia) 

Cause. — By the popular term, "Blood Poison," is 
meant a state of constitutional disturbance brought on 
by the entrance of putrid products — usually from a 
wound — into the blood. As a rule some pressure or 
inoculation is necessary for the introduction of poison 
into the circulation; hence, the necessity of free drain- 
age and thorough disinfection of the wound, and the only 
hopeful cases are those in which by this means the sup- 
ply of poison may be cut short. 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 17 

Symptoms. — It is introduced through any wound or 
abrasion, whether due to injury, disease or by an oper- 
ation. Signs of septic poison are heat, pain and sweUing. 

Treatment. — It is necessary to see that the wound 
has good drainage, and wash with Carbolic Acid, one 
tablespoonful to one pint of distilled water or Bichlo- 
ride of Mercury perhaps is the best in an infected wound. 
Apply one part to one thousand parts water. Also, give 
internally, Potassi Iodide, one ounce; Sodii Hyposul- 
phite, eight ounces. Make into eight powders and give 
one powder two or three times a day in their drinking 
water or in capsule, and give with capsule gun. This is 
an intestinal antiseptic which is very valuable in the 
treatment of Blood Poisoning. Feed soft, laxative food 
and green grass, if possible. 

BOG SPAVIN. 

Cause. — Faulty conformation, slipping, falling 
through a bridge or culvert; large loosely built draft 
horses are prone to this blemish. Bog Spavin is heredi- 
tary, and you should, therefore, select a good type of 
animal for breeding purposes. 

Symptoms. — A puffy swelling located in front and 
on the inside of the hock, varying from the size of a wal- 
nut to that of a man's fist. It very seldom causes lame- 
ness, but is a serious disfigurement and blemish. 

Treatment. — Treatment is not satisfactory unless 
taken in its first stages and when the animal is young. 
If there is heat, pain and swelling, apply cold water or 
ice packs until the inflammation has left the parts. Then 
,use the following prescription: Tincture of Iodine, two 
ounces ; Gum Camphor, two ounces. Gasolene, one pint. 
Mix and shake well before applying with a nail or tooth 
brush twice a week. 

I may add that I have derived some wonderful results 
in treatment of Bog Spavin with the above mentioned 
prescription in both young and old animals, and per- 



18 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

haps it will be well to use it on both young and old 
animals in both acute and chronic forms of Bog Spavin. 

BONE SPAVIN. 

Cause. — Sprains of the hock from falling, slipping, 
jumping, pulling, traveling on uneven roads, falling 
through bridges, etc. 

Since Spavin is due to causes which come into exist- 
ence after birth, it cannot be regarded an an hereditary 
disease. Hereditary predisposition, however, is largely 
accountable for its appearance. In the first place, the 
process of evolution in the horse, which is a single-toed 
animal, descended from a five-toed ancestor, predisposes 
him to suffer from union of the bones of the hock, just 
as it predisposes him to splints. The weaker the bones 
of the hock in comparison to the weight of the body the 
more inclined will the animal naturally be to contract 
Spavin. 

Symptoms. — Spasmodic catching up of the spavined 
limb, the moment the heel of the foot touches the ground, 
something after the manner of string-halt. At times the 
stiffness can be observed only when the animal is pushed 
from one side of the stall to the other. Spavin may 
often be detected when riding a horse down a steep hill 
from the fact that he drags the toe. 

The time of all others when a spavined horse will be 
apt to show his lameness will be the day following a 
hard day's work, and when he makes his first move from 
the stable in the morning is the proper moment for ex- 
amination. Therefore, you should be prepared to form 
judgment quickly in these cases, for the longer the 
animal is trotted up and down the less lame will he 
generally become. 

We may have a visible sign of Spavin, swelling and 
hardness of the part, without lameness. If there be heat 
and tenderness on pressure, lameness will almost always 
be present. A careful comparison should be made of 
the hocks. 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 19 

Treatment. — An important factor in treating 
Spavin is keeping the animal quiet. This can be accom- 
plished by placing the animal in a very narrow stall, 
carrying his feed and drinking water for a month or six 
weeks, and apply the following ointment: Red Iodide 
of Mercury, two drams; Pulverized Cantharides, three 
drams; Turpentine, thirty minims; Pine Tar, two 
drams; lard, two ounces. Mix well and rub in well for 
twenty minutes every forty-eight hours until three ap- 
plications have been applied. Repeat this treatment 
again in two weeks, and grease well with lard. 

To cure a bone spavin it is necessary to unite two or 
more bones of the hock. The same thing exists in 
bone spavin as in a fractured bone, only we have no 
ragged edges like that of a fracture to unite; but the 
animal must be kept quiet. The younger the animal 
the easier the spavin is to treat, because the bones 
hardened with age contain more mineral matter and less 
flexible animal matter. While treating the animal, feed 
food that is easily digested. 

BOTS. 

(Gastrophilis) 

Effect of Bots on the Health of Horses 

Although the presence of bots inside of a horse can be 
of no possible advantage to him, their presence, when 
in small numbers, as a rule produce very little or no ill 
effect in the horse, but if their number be large they 
cannot help being a source of debility and irritation. In 
practically all cases they produce indigestion, especially 
among young horses, also loss of condition, colic and 
even death. 

Cause. — Bot flies lay their eggs during the autumn 
months on the skin and hair of the horse. These 
eggs on becoming hatched (in from 20 to 25 days) pro- 
duce small worms which irritate the skin by their move- 



20 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

ments and thus cause the horse to lick them off and to 
take them into his mouth, with the result that they gain 
access to various parts of the intestinal canal. The hot 
having selected its place of residence, attaches itself to 
the membrane lining the stomach and intestines, and 
derives its sustenance during its stay from the wound 
made by its hooks. In the summer the larva, after 
living inside the horse for about ten months, quits its 
hold and is expelled with the feces. Having concealed 
itself near the surface of the ground it becomes changed 
into a chrysalis from which the gadfly issues after an 
inactive existence of from thirty to forty days. The 
female fly becomes impregnated, lays her eggs on those 
parts of the horse from which they can be most easily 
licked off, and thus completes her cycle of existence. 

Symptoms. — Membranes about the eyes and mouth 
are very pale, as though the animal had lost a large 
quantity of blood; they will also be subject to colicky 
attacks, hair faded, dull, rough appearance, appetite poor 
and manifests a pot belly. 

Prevention. — ^^The best means of prevention are 
spraying your horses with the following fly repellant: 
Crude Carbolic Acid, 10%; Oil of Tar, 25%; Crude Oil, 
65%. Mix thoroughly. This prevents the gadfly from 
depositing her eggs on the animals. 

Treatment. — Withhold all food for twenty-four 
hours, then administer Oil of Turpentine, one ounce; 
place in a gelatin capsule and give with capsule gun. 
Follow this in six hours with a physic consisting of Aloin, 
two drams; Ginger, two drams. Place in a gelatin 
capsule and give with capsule gun. Repeat the above 
treatment in a week or ten days to insure the expulsion 
of Bots that might have escaped the first treatment. 

BRONCHITIS. 

Cause. — It may be the result of debility, constitu- 
tional diseases, inhalation of impure air, smoke, or 



CAUSEj SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 21 

gases. Sometimes brought on by drenching by the 
escape of liquid into the windpipe; remember, a horse 
cannot breathe through his mouth. It may also be 
caused by sudden chill, foreign bodies in windpipe, micro 
organisms, or it may be associated with influenza, glan- 
ders, lung fever, etc. 

Symptoms. — Sore throat, loss of appetite, thirst, ani- 
mal appears dull, membranes of the mouth, eyes and 
nose are reddened; urine is scanty and highly colored; 
cough dry and husky. After two or three days the 
cough becomes looser and a frothy, sticky mucus of a 
yellowish color is present. This gradually becomes pus- 
like, after which the animal seems somewhat relieved. 
In the first stages the pulse is soft and weak, but fre- 
quently the temperature is high, ranging from 105° F. 
to 106° F.; the breathing is quick and more or less 
difficult. 

Treatment. — Place the horse in a clean, comfort- 
able, well ventilated stall, exclude drafts, blanket if the 
weather is chilly. Also, hand rub the legs and bandage 
them. Inhalations from steam of hot water and Turpen- 
tine are beneficial. Also administer Chlorate of Potassi, 
two ounces ; Nitrate of Potash, two ounces ; Tannic Acid, 
one ounce. Mix this with a pint of black-strap molasses 
and give about one tablespoonf ul weU back on the tongue 
with a wooden paddle every six hours. In severe at- 
tacks of Bronchitis it is well to apply a liniment consist- 
ing of Turpentine, Aqua- Ammonia Fort., and raw Lin- 
seed Oil, each four ounces; mix well and apply to the 
throat and down the windpipe once or twice a day. The 
animal should be fed on soft food, such as hot bran 
mashes, grass, carrots, kale, apples or steamed rolled 
oats. After the acute symptoms of the disease disap- 
pear, give Pulverized Gentian Root, one ounce; Nux 
Vomica, two ounces; Nitrate of Potash, three ounces; 
Pulverized Fenugreek Seed, six ounces. Mix and give 
one tablespoonful three times a day in the feed or in a 
gelatin capsule and administer with a capsule gun. 



22 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 



CAPPED KNEE. 

Cause. — Bruises from pawing or striking objects 
with the knee, falling on the ground, etc., are perhaps 
the most common causes. 

Symptoms. — It may be a simple biniise, or it may be 
a severe wound. There is always swelling, heat and 
pain present. The joint becomes stiff and interferes 
with the movement of the leg. Under careful treatment 
the swelling and enlargement disappear. 

Treatment. — Relieve the inflammation and clean 
the wound by fomenting with hot water, to which add a 
few drops of Carbolic Acid. If the wound is very large, 
trim off the ragged edges with a pair of scissors and ap- 
ply the following: Boracic Acid, two ounces; Iodoform, 
one ounce ; Tannic Acid, one ounce. Powder finely, mix 
and apply two or three times a day. If the skin is not 
broken, apply cold water or ice packs until the inflam- 
mation has subsided; then use the following: Tincture 
of Iodine, one ounce; Camphor, two ounces, and Gaso- 
lene, eight ounces. Apply with nail or toothbrush every 
forty-eight hours until the enlargement has disappeared. 

CAPPED HOCK. 

Cause. — Some horses have the habit of rubbing or 
striking their hocks against the partition of their stalls. 
May also be produced by kicks from other horses, or 
hocks may be bruised by the singletree. 

Symptoms. — An enlargement at the point of the 
hock, which may run up along the tendons and muscles 
of the leg. Repeated injuries cause the hock to enlarge 
and become flabby, and in some cases it contains a bloody 
serum or pus. 

Treatment. — Do not attempt to lance the puffy 
swelling on the point of the hock, as you may produce an 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 23 

open joint, which is very difficult to treat, and chances 
are that you would lose the animal. 

The treatment that I would recommend is to find out 
the true cause and remove it. When the puffy swell- 
ing is hot and painful, apply cold water or ice packs. 
When the heat and pain have subsided apply the follow- 
ing: Tincture of Iodine, two ounces; Gum Camphor, 
two ounces, dissolved in one pint of Gasolene. Shake 
the contents of the bottle before using each time and 
apply with a nail or toothbrush every forty-eight hours. 
This is very penetrating and will remove the enlargement 
or absorb fluids that might have accumulated from the 
result of the bruise. 

CASTRATION. 

There are few countries where this operation is not 
performed to any great extent. Under favorable con- 
ditions of health, castration should be performed at the 
age of one year. The safest months are April and May, 
and the safest time a week or two after being turned out 
to pasture when he is shedding his coat. Do not operate 
upon a colt that has been kept in ill ventilated place, 
but have the colt in good condition, and the weather 
moderate, neither too hot or too cold. See that he has 
no distemper or any such disease. It is necessary that 
the hands and instruments be thoi-oughly cleansed by 
washing them in hot water, a little soap and a few drops 
of cresol. If the age be above a year it is best to feed very 
light the day before the operation, as there is less danger 
from being thrown and tied and also from the opera- 
tion itself, when theUowels are empty. It is very im- 
portant to ascertain whether or not the colt has ever 
suffered rupture, as he must be operated upon differ- 
ently. Examine the testicles to see that they are down. 
Generally speaking after these precautions, so far as 
the animal is concerned, he is ready for the operation. 

There are several methods of removing the testicles 
and I will mention only the Emasculator method. This 



24 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

is the latest method of operation, and gives results that 
are satisfactory in majority of cases. In my opinion it 
is the best and most humane. Open the scrotum and 
allow the testicles to protrude, being careful to make the 
opening sufficiently large. When the testicles protrude 
sufficiently far from the opening in the scrotum, pour 
some cresol and cotton-seed oil ( 20 drops of cresol to an 
ounce of cotton-seed oil) around the cords and into the 
scrotum. Apply it thoroughly in order to prevent its 
healing too rapidly. Open the emasculator and place 
it around the cord, shove up as far as possible on the 
cord without pulling or using force. Should the patient 
pull upon the cord it is better to suspend operation for 
a time until he ceases, as the length of the cord cannot 
be ascertained unless it is slack when the emasculator is 
placed at the proper point. Tighten up the instrument 
by means of pressing the two handles together until the 
testicle is squeezed off. This makes a peculiarly dull cut, 
different from that of a sharp knife and thus has the 
effect of closing the end of the artery and preventing 
the flow of blood. Some veterinarians take off both 
testicles at the same time. There is, however, more dan- 
ger from bleeding in this way, and I recommend that 
each be taken off separately. The patient may be al- 
lowed to regain his feet as soon as the testicles are re- 
moved. I desire to add again that it is absolutely neces- 
sary to see that the hands of the operator and the instru- 
ments are thoroughly cleansed both before and after the 
operation. 

Bi>EEDiNG After Castration. — Frequently you will 
be called on to stop bleeding after veterinaries or farmers 
have used some obsolete method of castration, and I 
would recommend that you use either of the following 
suggestions : 

If bleeding is from the little artery in the back por- 
tion of the cord, it will generally stop of its own accord, 
but if it should continue to bleed for 30 minutes, throw 
clean, cold water against the part. 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 25 

When bleeding is from the large artery in front of 
the cord, it is considered dangerous. The artery should 
be tied with a silk thread if possible, or twisted with a 
pair of forceps. Occasionally the artery cannot be found, 
in which case the hole in the scrotum should be plugged 
with a clean cloth saturated with Tincture of Iron, which 
will clot the blood and thus close the artery. 

CHOKING. 

This term applies to obstruction of the gullet as well 
as that of the windpipe. 

Cause. — Too rapid eating, from which pieces of car- 
rots or other roots, or a quantity of dry food becomes 
lodged in the gullet. Although obstructions of the 
windpipe caused by drenching, or from food entering 
the lungs, may not prove fatal for several days, an ob- 
struction in the gullet will kill a horse in a very short 
time. 

Treatment. — No time should be lost in attempting 
to remove the obstruction from the gullet. It may be 
dislodged by gently manipulating the gullet. If unsuc- 
cessful in dislodging the obstruction in this manner, 
use a probang, an instrument made for this purpose, 
or inject Sweet or Olive Oil into the gullet with a hypo- 
dermic syringe, or give hypodermic injections of Areco- 
line. In administering drenches with the object of dis- 
lodging obstructions in the gullet, you must remember 
that the liquids used are apt to go the wrong way, that 
is to say, enter the lungs, and give rise to lung com- 
plications, as lung fever, bronchitis, etc. Obstructions 
of solid substance in the windpipe generally cause death 
very shortly. When liquids enter the lungs, death is 
not so apt to occur, as the animal may live several days, 
and sometimes even get well. They should be treated 
the same as for lung fever. 



26 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

COFFIN- JOINT LAMENESS. 
(Navicular Disease) 

Cause. — Driving young animals on hard roads. Al- 
ways found in the front feet, owing no doubt to the fact 
the front feet support largely the weight of the body. 

Symptoms. — The symptoms are very hard to detect. 
As a rule the animal will point the affected foot when 
at rest even before there is any lameness present. While 
at work he apparently goes sound, but when placed in 
the stable, or when stopped on hard ground, one foot 
will be set out in front of the other and resting on the 
toe. It will be noticed that the animal takes a few lame 
steps and then goes well again. Again he may be lame 
for a day, or he may leave the stable in the morning 
apparently well and sound and go lame during the day. 
In the course of time he will develop a severe case of 
lameness, which may last for five or six days. These 
spells are intermittent and finally he becomes perma- 
nently lame, and the more he is driven the greater the 
lameness, and he steps short, wears the toe of the shoe, 
stumbles, falls on his knees when the road is rough. 
Sometimes both front feet are affected and the shoulders 
will be stiff. When put to work he sweats from pain; 
there will be extreme heat a^bout the foot, and he will 
flinch from pressure. 

Comparatively few recoveries are made from this dis- 
ease. 

Treatment. — First remove the shoe. If the foot is 
inflamed, poultice with hot bran or flaxseed meal. 
After the inflammation disappears, clean the foot well, 
clip the hair from around the top of the hoof and use 
the following : Red Iodide of Mercury, two drams ; Pul- 
verized Cantharides, four drams; Turpentine, thirty 
drops; Lard, two ounces. Mix well and apply every 
forty-eight hours, rubbing in well for twenty minutes 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 27 

each time. After three or four applications have been 
applied, turn the animal out to pasture. Repeat this 
treatment again in a month or so. Animals affected 
with this disease should be put to slow and easy work 
on soft ground, and carefully shod. This disease is un- 
satisfactorily treated and only a few cases recover when 
the best care is taken. 

CORNS. 

Cause. — Dry feet, increased pressure from ill fitting 
shoes, or high heeled shoes, which tend to contract the 
heels and produce corns. Wide flat feet are predisposed 
to bruises which terminate in corns. 

Symptoms. — Lameness, or as the old saying goes, 
"The animal will go tenderfooted." When standing the 
animal is generally very restless, they paw their bedding 
behind them at night. Tapping or pressure on the foot 
will assist in locating a corn. 

Treatment. — Discover the true cause of the corn 
and remove it if possible. Take away all pressure from 
over the corn and turn the animal out in some damp 
pasture. If this cannot be done, put on a flat "bar" 
shoe, packing the sole of the foot with Pine Tar and 
Oakum ; then place a leather between the foot and shoe. 
Repeat this application every two weeks, as this will 
keep the sole soft and flexible, and with proper shoeing 
your animal will be relieved of corns. 

Frequently coffin- joint lameness or navicular disease 
is mistaken for corns. 

CONSTIPATION. 

Cause. — Indigestible foods, irregular feeding, lack 
of, or too much, exercise, insufficient secretion of diges- 
tive materials, strictures, ruptures, paralysis, worms, 
folding and twisting of the intestines, which frequently 
occurs in old age. 



28 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

Symptoms. — The animal cannot expel the contents 
of the intestines, which frequently causes colicky pains. 
Death from this form of constipation is generally due 
to rupture of the intestines, when due to indigestible 
foods or irregular feeding. Lack of, or too much, exer- 
cise seldom produces death, although the animal may not 
pass any fecal matter for a week. 

Treatment. — Give a capsule containing Aloin, two 
drams, and Pulverized Ginger, two drams, every eigh- 
teen hours until the animal has a movement of the 
bowels. Then give the following tonic : Pulverized Nux 
Vomica, two ounces; Pulverized Gentian Root, two 
ounces ; Pulverized Fenugreek Seed, four ounces. Mix 
well and give one tablespoonful in feed three times a 
day. If the animal refuses to eat it in the feed, place one 
tablespoonful in gelatin capsule and administer with 
capsule gun. This will stimulate the worm-like move- 
ment of the bowels and strengthen the heart action. 

Give the animal all the water it will drink. If the 
water is cold, take the chill off by warming or adding 
warm water. If the animal will eat, feed food that is 
easily digested, such as grass, carrots, turnips, potatoes 
and apples, but do not feed too large a quantity at one 
time. Hot bran mashes or steamed rolled oats are very 
nourishing and easily digested. Rectal injections of 
Soap and Turpentine in small quantities, added to warm 
water, are very beneficial, and I would recommend their 
use. It is advisable to elevate the animal's hind parts 
when giving rectal injections, as it will cause the animal 
to retain the injection much longer, consequently it does 
its intended work much better. 

If due to worms, fast the animal for twenty- four 
hours and give Barbadoes Aloes, three drams; Calomel, 
one dram; Ferri Sulphate, two drams; Antimony Tar- 
trate, two drams. Place in gelatin capsule and give with 
capsule gun. This dose should be repeated in ten days to 
insure the expulsion of newly hatched worms. 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 29 

COLD. 

(Nasal Catarrh) 

Cause. — Atmospheric changes common in the spring 
and fall ; animal allowed to chill when standing in a draft, 
or driven when the system is in a poor condition. It is 
also produced by inhaling irritating gases, smoke, 
drenching through the nose, dusty hay or grain that 
contains infectious matter. 

Symptoms. — Animal is stupid, does not take food 
very freely, hair stands and looks dusty, throat becomes 
sore, pulse is not greatly affected. There ma}^ be a slight 
rise of temperature, say 101° F. to 103° F. After a day 
or two there will be a discharge of mucus from the 
nostrils which may be offensive to the smell. There is 
generally an increased flow of urine. The breathing is 
not much affected. 

Treatment. — Make the animal as comfortable as 
possible by placing in a clean stall with pure air, but 
avoid drafts. Blanket if the weather is chilly and give the 
following prescription : Chloride of Potash, two ounces ; 
Nitrate of Potash, four ounces. Mix these well in a pint 
of Pine Tar and place about one tablespoonful of the 
mixture as far back on the tongue as possible every six 
hours. Relief is very certain if this treatment is given 
in the first stages. If not it will become chronic and ter- 
minate into nasal gleet, or lung complications. 

COUGH. 

(Acute and Chronic) 

As a cough is a symptom of various diseases, these in 
addition to the couffh should be treated. 



*&' 



Kinds of Cough, — Many writers give several dif- 
ferent varieties, but for sake of convenience I will divide 
them into two forms, namely : Acute and Chronic. 



30 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

Cause. — Acute Coughs are generally due to sudden 
exposure to cold, drafts and are the forerunning symp- 
tom of a disease of the organs of breathing. 

Chronic Coughs are associated with, and often a re- 
sult of, sore throat, lung fever, pleurisy, bronchitis, 
broken wind, influenza, nasal gleet, catarrh, glanders, 
heaves and distemper. 

Treatment. — Under each disease of which a cough 
is a symptom, I have also prescribed to include its sup- 
pression. The following prescription is reasonable in 
price, yet very effective in all forms of cough: Tannic 
A'cid, one ounce ; Potassi Chlorate, four ounces ; Potassi 
Nitrate, four ounces. Powder well and mix with Black 
Strap Molasses, one pint; placing container in hot 
water assists in dissolving contents. When this is 
thoroughly mixed add Pine Tar one pint, and place 
one tablespoonful well back on the tongue with a wooden 
paddle every three or four hours, according to the 
severity of the cough. 

Sometimes a liniment applied to the throat and wind- 
pipe has a good effect, and I would recommend the fol- 
lowing on account of its penetrating qualities: Aqua 
Ammonia Fort., two ounces; Turpentine, two ounces; 
Raw Linseed Oil, four ounces. Mix and apply twice 
daily, shaking the contents of the bottle well before 
using. 

COLT CONSTIPATION. 

Cause. — Improper digestion of its mother's milk, es- 
pecially when overheated or not allowed to nurse enough. 

Symptoms. — The colt appears stupid ; does not care 
to move about, but lies flat on either side and shows 
signs of great pain. 

Treatment. — ^Give two tablespoonfuls of Cascara 
Sagrada. Great care must be exercised in administering 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 31 

the medicine to place it well back on the tongue ; do not 
hold the nose high or some of the liquid may enter the 
lungs ; it is much better to waste some of the medicine. 
One of the most important factors in the treatment of 
Colt Constipation is rectal injections; they relieve tem- 
perature, gases, and pain, promoting the worm-like 
action of the bowels and liquefying their contents. 

COLT DIARRHOEA. 

Cause. — Specific infection, the action of which is fa- 
vored by insanitarj^ conditions, irregular feeding, or per- 
mitting the colt to nurse when the mother is overheated 
or out of condition. 

Symptoms. — Frequent watery discharges, sometimes 
tinged with blood, and as the disease progresses the colt 
shows signs of great pain. If not treated promptly, the 
disease will terminate fatally in the course of six or 
ten days. 

Treatment. — Determine the exact cause, if possible, 
and remove it. If the colt has not been weaned, atten- 
tion should at once be given the mare, and if anything 
is wrong with her, it may be best to take the little 
patient away from its mother and feed it on cow's milk 
sweetened with sugar. Give two tablespoonfuls of Cas- 
tor Oil on the tongue; this will remove the irritant within 
the bowels. The following prescription is a very reli- 
able remedy : Protan, three ounces ; Pulv. Ginger, four 
drams; Zinc Sulphocarbolates, four grains. Mix and 
make into twelve powders; give one powder on the 
tongue every four hours, effecting a cure within a few 
days. Do not pull the tongue, or hold the head too high. 
Permit the animal to swallow slowly. Remember that 
sanitary surroundings are essential in the treatment of 
all diseases. 



32 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 



CRACKED HEELS. 

Cause. — There is little doubt in my mind that am- 
monia, which is so plentifully found in ill-kept stables, 
is the chief cause of cracked heels. The action of am- 
monia on the skin renders it soft and pulpy, and dimin- 
ishes its strength by separating the layers of which it 
is composed. 

Symptoms. — When inflammation is set up in the 
part, the secretion of natural oil is interfered with and 
cracks usually occur in the place where the skin becomes 
wrinkled when the pastern joint is bent. The discharge 
from cracked heels has an offensive smell. In early 
stages there is extreme heat and swelling, there is pain 
and lameness, which usually disappear as the case be- 
comes chronic. 

Treatment. — Keep the affected parts clean as pos- 
sible, if there is extreme inflammation present. Apply 
hot poultice made from bran or flaxseed meal. When 
the inflammation subsides, apply Zinc Ointment twice 
daily. Before each application of the ointment, wash 
with Warm Water and Castile Soap. Feed carrots, 
green grass, if possible, also hot bran mashes or steam 
rolled oats each morning. Sometimes it is well to give 
a physic, and I would recommend Aloin, one and one- 
half drams ; Ginger, two drams. A physic has very good 
effect in reducing the swelling of the legs. 

DENTISTRY. 

The art of animal dentistry has been abused by the 
owners of stock allowing the services of irresponsible 
men in the veterinary profession, who do not look to the 
betterment of the animal's condition. The owner of the 
animals, not being able to see the condition of the ani- 
mal's teeth for himself, is persuaded into having the ani- 
mal's teeth worked on regardless of whether it is needed 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 33 

or not. The quack or transient veterinarian will pull 
and crack healthy, sound teeth, and lacerate the poor ani- 
mal's mouth. 

How TO Examine an Animal^s Teeth. — Per- 
haps the best method that can be applied in examining an 
animal's teeth or mouth is by the use of a mouth specu- 
lum. There are several different makes on the market, 
and some can be purchased very reasonably and will give 
excellent service. 

Unnatural Condition and Irritation.^ Etc., of 
THE Teeth. — After studying the anatomy thoroughly 
you will be able to see at once any abnormal condition of 
the teeth or mouth, which are as follows : 

Dentition begins at or soon after birth, and con- 
tinues until the horse is five years old, and the animal 
suffers more or less during that time. The lower animals 
do not appear to suffer so much in getting their first teeth, 
but do suffer when getting their permanent ones, even 
more, perhaps, than the human being. Hence, we have 
dentition fever in the horse from three or four up to five 
years old — there is a weak pulse, impaired appetite, a 
staring coat, the bowels sometimes costive, and sometimes 
there is diarrhoea ; he is not able to work, and it is hard to 
say what is the matter, unless the system is affected by 
the irritation set up by the teeth, for all of the organs 
appear to be in a healthy state. Such symptoms indicate 
that the temporary teeth are not being displaced in a 
proper way. The same applies to cattle. The food 
passes improperly digested, which may be due to the 
state of the teeth. It is well in such cases to examine the 
mouth, and if you find some tooth not properly displaced, 
the gums swollen, remove it — which you can sometimes 
do with the thumb and finger, or you may have to use the 
forceps, which we believe the best. Then give a laxative, 
feed on soft food, and the animal will soon recover. 

Irregular Teeth. — ^The gums are sometimes irri- 
tated in connection with the molar teeth. This irritation 



34 DISEASES or THE HORSE 

extends and affects the pharynx and larynx, and perhaps 
a severe cough is the result, called a dentition cough. It 
is often the result of but a slight irritation at the back 
part of the gums — this cough may not be very severe, but 
it is troublesome^or the gum may become badly swollen. 
The best treatment is to scarify it. We find tumors in 
the upper and lower jaw, perhaps from the imperfect de- 
velopment of the teeth, or from slight injury, irritation, 
etc. They may or may not be malignant, and are likely 
to extend and involve the alveoli and bone. If not malig- 
nant, and only upon the surface, it is called epulis, and 
is not very common. If not malignant remove it, and it 
may do well for some time ; it will return, extend and be- 
come a hopeless case. The horse frequently suffers from 
sharp, projecting teeth, which occurs more commonly in 
old horses, from wearing down the teeth in an uneven 
manner. They will be sharper on the inner edge of the 
lower jaw and the outer edge of the upper jaw, which 
may be from faulty formation. In such cases the animal 
has difficulty in eating, grinds his food, ejecting it. Per- 
haps when driving him he carries the head to one side 
from the bearing of the bit not being the same on both 
sides. If the teeth are sharp in the lower jaw they lacer- 
ate the tongue; if in the upper they lacerate the cheeks. 
The best remedy for this is the tooth rasp, and there is no 
necessity for using the mouth speculum. After rasp- 
ing, feed upon soft food for a day or two. There are 
more difficult cases where the teeth project to some ex- 
tent, generally in old horses, due to malformation of the 
jaw. Sometimes the upper jaw extends over the lower, 
and a part of the tooth is not worn down properly, and 
after a time it interferes with mastication, and the animal 
suffers considerably from irritation. The same appears 
in the front teeth of the upper jaw, but it is not so serious 
as the back tooth. The animal may be reduced to a 
walking skeleton, almost ; although the appetite appears 
good, the food is thrown out. You can detect by exam- 
ining with the hand, and if it is the last molar tooth it is 
advisable to place a twitch on the horse's nose, and using 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 35 

the mouth speculum, then remove the projecting portion 
of the tooth by means of the molar cutter. After using 
the molar cutters smooth the cut surface of the tooth 
with a tooth rasp and feed properly, and he will improve 
rapidly. 

Ulcerated or Caries of the Teeth. — The lower 
animals do not suffer from this as much as man, for two 
reasons : their teeth are complicated, and the mode of liv- 
ing. Sweets have a bad effect upon the teeth. Horses 
rarely suffer from toothache, but they frequently suffer 
from carious teeth. Caries may commence either on the 
table surface, root or fang, or even in that which sur- 
rounds the teeth; or it may result from a slight injury, 
as getting a stone, etc., between the teeth when masticat- 
ing, or it may begin in the fang from improper develop- 
ment of the dentine, which receives its nourishment from 
the tooth-pulp, and when this is gone, the tooth does not 
receive proper nourishment, etc. 

Symptoms. — In the early stages they are not very 
plain, but become better developed after a time. The ani- 
mal will show some irritation while eating. Although he 
is hungry, and goes ravenously to eating, he will all at 
once quit masticating, and either holds the food in the 
mouth or throws it out unchewed. This may be due to 
a slight irritation of the teeth. He acts something simi- 
lar to the human being, and these symptoms may be 
present for some time before well-marked symptoms 
appear. But in, it may be, six months or a year, certain 
distinct symptoms appear. If it is in the table surface, 
the tooth is brittle and wears down more readily and the 
tooth opposite to it grows longer; he quits or rejects the 
food, and a peculiar stench or fetor is present. The ani- 
ones, as for instance, an elephant's pulse rate is from 
mal falls off in condition in most cases. When it is in 
connection with the root or fang it is different. As it 
extends it involves the other tissues, sets up irritation in 
the upper sinus of the head, if it is in the lower jaw, as 
well as the symptoms given, you will, perhaps, notice a 



36 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

slight enlargement which extends down the lower por- 
tion of the jaw ; sinuses form and pus is discharged. Ex- 
ercise care and judgment and you need make no great 
mistakes. I know of horses being destroyed for glanders 
when only affected with ulcerated teeth. 

Treatment. — Remove the tooth — and this is not 
very easily done, but there are various ways. Open the 
mouth by means of a mouth speculum, and, if practical, 
use the forceps. The trouble with the forceps is, they are 
apt to break the tooth when they are closed upon it too 
tight. There is a root f orcep which can be used in the lower 
jaw, as the teeth in that are more easily removed than 
those in the upper jaw; or you may remove by trephin- 
ing, and then, by inserting a punch, it can be driven out. 
When you attempt to remove a tooth and it breaks down, 
it will, in many cases, come away of itself without fur- 
ther treatment. The first and second molars are more 
difficult to punch out than the others. After treatment 
keep the animal quiet ; feed upon soft food that does not 
require much mastication. There is a difference in treat- 
ing the cavity. Some recommend filling it with gutta 
percha to prevent the food from passing into the sinus. 
It will sometimes pass into both sinuses; but generally 
there is no necessity for filling it. If you trephine, it is 
more needful than in pulling. If food passes into the 
sinuses then it will be necessary to fill the hole. Some- 
times in parrot-mouth the incisors of the lower jaw grow 
and irritate the mucous membrane of the opposite jaw 
when it is necessary to use incisor cutters or rasp them 
down. 

Wolf or Supernumerary Teeth. — Wolf teeth are 
comparatively small in size and have only one root and 
are found just in front of the upper molar teeth. Some- 
times they do harm, but that is an exception and not the 
rule. They can be easily removed with a pair of small 
forceps or they may be punched out in some instances, 
but I prefer that you use the regular wolf tooth forcep 
as it looks much better to the onlooker. I think they in- 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 37 

terfere with the eyes, causing them to become watery 
and inflamed, due to the tooth exerting some influence 
upon the opthalmic division of the fifth nerve. 

Supernumerary Teeth. — Tooth substance may 
develop in almost any part of the body. These are called 
supernumerary teeth and are commonly found in the 
testicles, ovaries and sinuses of the head, etc. 

Foreign Body Lodged in the Mouth. — A foreign 
body sometimes gets lodged in the mouth, as a piece of 
wood, wire from the feed, etc., and possibly becomes im- 
beded between the molar teeth, and the animal is not able 
to get it out. There will be difficulty in masticating; a 
flow of saliva ; the animal stands with the head poked out, 
as if suffering from sore throat. He will partially masti- 
cate, then try to swallow, and perhaps eject the food. 
These symptoms are present in sore throat, and it is nec- 
essary to make a careful examination ; you are not likely 
to mistake just one case, but if there is some other dis- 
ease prevalent that presents similar symptoms, then you 
are liable to make a mistake. As stated before, exercise 
care and judgment and you need make no great mistakes, 
this applies to all diseases, etc., that you are called upon 
to treat. 

CURB. 

Cause. — Faulty conformation of the hind legs ; that 
is to say, if a animal has crooked legs, a slight sprain 
from slipping or jumping will produce Curb. In cases 
where an animal has well proportioned limbs, and is 
afflicted with Cur*b, it is caused by a rupture of the small 
ligament or cord situated just back of the hock. 

Symptoms. — A swelling will be noticed on the back 
part of the hock. At first the animal is lame and the 
enlargement is hot and painful. After a few days' rest 
the inflammation will partially subside and the enlarge- 
ment can be plainly seen. When the animal is walked 
about he may be very lame at the start, but this will dis- 
appear as he is moved. 



38 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

Treatment. — When the curb is hot and painful, it is 
well to apply ice packs or cold water to the part. When 
the inflammation subsides, apply Red Iodide of Mer- 
cury, two drams ; Lard, two ounces. Mix and rub in well 
for twenty minutes ; repeat every forty-eight hours until 
three applications are made. If the Curb is of long 
standing it is more difficult to treat, in which case the 
above treatment should be repeated again in two or 
three months. Do not use the animal in drawing heavy 
loads, or drive on slippery roads, for six months. Give 
the blister time to strengthen the ruptured tendons. A 
high-heeled shoe is often valuable in relieving tendons 
of their tension. 

DIARRHOEA. 

Cause. — Sudden change of food, frozen food, soft 
food, unwholesome food, stagnant water, or drinking 
large quantities of water at one time, purgative med- 
icines, or it may be associated with blood diseases, lung 
and intestinal affections, or produced by micro-organ- 
isms. Many horses, particularly slack loined, slight, 
"washy" animals, purge if worked or excited, as may be 
observed among race horses when taken to a race course. 
Diarrhoea may also be due to worms, or it may be merely 
an effort on the part of nature to expel some irritant 
matter from the bowels or from the blood, in which case 
it should on no account be prematurely checked. 

Symptoms. — Frequent loose evacuations of the intes- 
tines, with or without pronounced abdominal pain ; gen- 
erally, loss of appetite, animal looks gaunt and the hair 
rough. 

Treatment. — Keep the animal quiet, comfortably 
stabled and warmly blanketed. Give pure water to 
drink, often, but in small quantities. If the animal will 
eat, feed moderately on clean food, as rolled oats and 
dry bran. Also, give the following prescription: Pro- 
tan, three ounces; Zinc Sulphocarbolates, ten grains; 
Creosote, one dram; Powdered Ginger, two ounces; 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 39 

Powdered Gum Catechu, six drams; Powdered Gmn 
Camphor, one-half dram. Mix and make eight powders. 
Place one powder in gelatin capsule and give with cap- 
sule gun, or the same sized dose dissolved in a pint of 
water and used as a drench. However, be very careful 
when drenching an animal. It is dangerous. This pre- 
scription will not only check the diarrhoea, but will tone 
the muscular fibres of the intestines which aid in throw- 
ing off these irritant matters from the system. If the 
horse shows colicky pains, administer the same treat- 
ment as that recommended for colic. It is well to give 
the following treatment in the convalescing stages of 
diarrhoea: Pulv. Gentian Root, four ounces; Ferri Sul- 
phate, four ounces Pulv. Nux Vomica, four ounces; 
Pulv. Fenugreek Seed, eight ounces. Mix and give one 
heaping tablespoonful three times daily in feed. This 
facilitates digestion by stimulating the flow of gastric 
juices. 

DISTEMPER. 

Cause. — Distemper is placed among the germ dis- 
eases, and is produced by the Streptococcus of Schutz. 
It is contagious and a number of animals in the same 
stable may become affected at the same time. It is sup- 
posed to attack an animal but once, but it may be con- 
tracted a second time. May occur at any time of the 
year. 

Symptoms. — The animal will first appear dull, and 
show loss of appetite, and the hair will look dull and 
rough. There will be a watery discharge from the nose, 
and in a day or so a lump will appear between the jaws; 
the animal keeps his head in a peculiar position; saliva 
runs from its mouth ; the pulse will be a little faster than 
normal. The breathing will become more rapid and the 
lump between the jaws will get larger. This lump, or 
tumor, may form in other parts of the body, on the 
shoulder, in the groin, lungs or intestines. It usually 
causes death if it cannot be absorbed. This is called 



40 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

irregular distemper. A determined effort should be 
made to draw the lump, or tumor, to a head as soon as 
possible. 

Treatment. — Place the horse in a clean, well-ven- 
tilated and lighted stall, excluding all drafts, blanket the 
animal, hand rub the legs and bandage them ; give inha- 
lations of steam from Hot Water and Turpentine. A 
good method for heating water for this purpose is to 
place hot stones or bricks in the water and Turpentine. 
This will relieve the hard breathing. Remember a horse 
cannot breathe through his mouth, therefore, liquid 
drenches are dangerous. A paste made from Potassi 
Chlorate, two ounces; Potassi Nitrate, two ounces, dis- 
solved into a pint of warm molasses and given well back 
on the tongue in tablespoonful doses every two or three 
hours is very beneficial. A liniment made from equal 
parts of Aqua Ammonia Fort., Turpentine and Sweet 
Oil should be applied every morning over the enlarge- 
ment that appears in the region of the throat. If the 
enlargement fails to come to a head, use a clean knife 
for lancing purposes. 

After an attack of distemper your horse is gen- 
erally run down in condition. Give the following: 
Potassi Nitrate, four ounces ; Pulv. Gentian Root, four 
ounces; Pulv. Anise Seed, eight ounces. Make into 
thirty-two powders and give one powder three times 
daily in feed. 

DROPSY. 

(Of the Belly, Chest, Sheath, Udder and Legs) 

Cause. — Poor circulation; kidneys not working 
properly; lack of exercise; diseases of the lungs, liver, 
heart, womb or sheath. Mares heavy with foal often 
have dropsical swellings. 

Symptoms. — Swelling seldom contains fluid, al- 
though sometimes a sticky serum oozes through the skin ; 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 41 

fingers pressed against the swollen parts leave impres- 
sions. 

Treatment. — Avoid giving physics in this condition 
when possible, especially to mares with foal. Feed laxa- 
tive food, as hot bran mashes, green grass, carrots, pota- 
toes, etc.; also the following mixture: Potassi Iodide, 
two ounces; Potassi Nitrate, four ounces; Chloride of 
Potash, two ounces. Mix and make into sixteen powders. 
Place one powder in their drinking water three times a 
day. Exercise the animal as much as possible and you 
will derive good results from this treatment within a 
week or so. 

I may add that in the above affection it is a bad prac- 
tice to apply hot applications, as the chances are it would 
produce a sloughing of the skin. 

ECZEMA. 

Cause. — Anything that interferes with the healthy 
action of the skin, as checked sweating, irritation from 
dirty blankets or harness, or from accumulation of dirt 
on the skin through want of grooming, errors in feed- 
ing, overheat, or by infection^ In some cases the cause 
seems to be constitutional; in others, local. Though the 
disease is not parasitic in character, it is probable that 
when once contracted the diseased parts may become 
infected. 

Symptoms. — Slight dryness and eruptions that may 
affect the head, ears, neck, shoulders, flanks, inside of 
thighs and root of the tail, followed by vesicles or pim- 
ples which burst and discharge, or the contents may be 
absorbed. The animal will rub against the stall, manger, 
or any other object he can reach, until the parts are very 
sore, or if worked, he will rub himself violently when 
unharnessed. 

Treatment. — Give Fowler's Solution of Arsenic, 
one tablespoonf ul morning and night on their feed ; also 
give a physic consisting of two drams of Aloin and two 



42 



DISEASES OF THE HORSE 



drams of Pulverized Ginger in gelatin capsule. Give 
at one dose. One physic is all that is necessary to cool out 
the blood, which will assist materially in treating 
Eczema. Also, apply Zinc Ointment twice daily over the 
vesicles or pimples which will appear on the skin. Also, 
feed easily digested food if possible, such as carrots, 
apples, grass, hot bran mashes and steamed rolled oats, 
and keep the animal clean and groom carefully with clean 
combs and brushes. 

EYE DISEASES. 

Inflammation of the Membrane of Nictitans 

Conjunctivitis, or Inflammation of the superficial 
structure of the eye. 

Cause. — Direct or indirect injury to the eye, as a 
blow from a whip, dust, sand or chaff in the eye, or it 
may be due to extreme cold, heat, or foul air. 

The membrane of nictation is an accessory eyelid 
common to all domestic animals, the purpose of which 
is to remove foreign substances from the eye in much 
the same manner as we use the hand. 

Symptoms. — Conjunctivitis and inflammation of the 
membranes of nictitans are very much the same. A par- 
tial or complete closure of the eye, and a watery dis- 
charge due to overstimulation of the lachrymal glands, 
the fluid being secreted so abundantly that it is impos- 
sible for the tear duct to carrv^ it away ; hence, there will 
be a continuous overflow of tears down the horse's face. 
The formation of a film or scum over the eye need not 
cause alarm if the eye shows no sign of puncture. 

Tteatment. — Examine the eye carefully and remove 
any foreign body with clean cloth or feather and apply 
the following : Yellow Oxide of Mercury, three grains ; 
Lanolin, one ounce. Mix well together and apply to the 
eye three or four times daily. Avoid the use of liquid 
medicines, as they are hard to apply, and the animal 
throws them out by shaking the head. 



CAXJSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 43 



FISTULOUS WITHERS. 

Cause. — Fistulous Withers are seen mostly in horses 
that have a thick neck as well as those that are very 
high in the withers, or among saddle horses, those that 
are very low on the withers, the saddle here riding 
forward and bruising the parts. They are often caused 
by ill-fitting collars or saddles, by direct injury from 
blows, and from the horse rolling upon rough, sharp 
stones. In this location, the ulcer of the skin or a sim- 
ple abscess, if not properly and punctually treated, may 
terminate into Fistula. The pus burrows and finds 
lodgment deep down between the muscles, and escapes 
only when the sinuses become surcharged when, during 
motion of the muscles, the pus is forced to the surface. 

Symptoms. — These of course will vary according to 
the progress made by the Fistula. Following an injury 
we may often notice soreness or stiffness of the front 
legs, and upon careful examination of the withers we 
will see small tortuous lines running from the point of 
irritation downwards and backwards over the region of 
the shoulder. The stiffness of the limbs may disappear 
at this time, and heat and soreness of the parts may be- 
come less noticeable, but the swelling of the shoulders 
continues to enlarge. The swelling may often have the 
form of a running ulcer, or its contents may dry up and 
leave a tumor, which graduallj^ develops the common 
characteristic of a fistulous tumor. When the enlarge- 
ment has an opening, we should carefully examine the 
pus cavity, as upon this condition will wholly depend our 
treatment. 

Treatment. — Keep the animal as quiet as possible, 
as any movements of the limbs cause the pus to spread 
between the lines of the muscles and form larger ab- 
scesses or tumors. When the bone becomes diseased, it 
is very difficult to effect a cure, especially where the pus 
burrows back of the Scapula ( Shoulder Blade) . In case 



44 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

the abscess is newly formed, and close to the surface, 
syringing out with a solution made from Bichloride of 
Mercury, five grains to one ounce of water, generally 
causes the white fibrous tissue to slough awaj^ and the 
parts to heal rapidly. If the abscess is deep, and the 
bones become diseased, the pus will have a very offensive 
odor, and I would recommend free use of a knife and 
bone chisels to remove all diseased portions of bone or 
muscle. 

FILARIAE. 

(Thread-like Worm) 

Cause. — Drinking stagnant water, or eating haj'' 
gathered from swamps or marshy land. When full 
grown, the worm measures from two to six inches in 
length; the tail is more or less curved. They are found 
in the lung cavity, the heart sac, and the intestinal cavity, 
from which they sometimes descend into the sac con- 
taining the testicles. Animals said to have a snake in the 
eye have been exhibited as curiosities; in all cases the 
simulated snake was nothing more than the Filariae. 

Symptoms. — Colicky spells; poor appetite, indiges- 
tion, pot-belly, rough coat; swelling of the sheath, legs, 
and the lower surface of the belly. 

Treatment. — Prevention is the only treatment, for 
when the worms once enter the digestive canal, it is 
impossible to remove them. 

FOUNDER. 

(JLaminitis) 

Cause. — Overeating or drinking — in fact, any irrita- 
tion of the stomach or intestines is liable to be followed 
by Founder, owing to the similarity in the sensitive 
structure of the foot, skin, and mucous membranes. 
Horses with weak feet are predisposed to Founder, but 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 45 

it may also occur in strong-footed animals. Founder is 
also produced by driving an animal on a hot summer day 
and then placing in the stable where the sweat is sud- 
denly checked by drafts, etc. 

Symptoms. — The horse is stiff, and moves with great 
difficulty; he will generally, though not always, remain 
standing. Throws weight upon the heel of the foot to 
relieve the toe, and if an effort is made to back him he 
will drag his feet. Excessive heat is present at the top 
of the hoof, and a throbbing of the arteries may be felt. 
When the fore feet only are affected, the horse will re- 
licA^e them of as much weight as possible when walking 
by placing the hind feet well under the bodj^ which 
results in a peculiar jumping motion. Founder may oc- 
cur in all four feet, but the fore feet are more often 
affected than the hind ones. Mares sometimes founder 
after giving birth to a colt, due to inflammation of the 
womb ; symptoms correspond to those of common Foun- 
der. Founder may be mistaken for disease of the lungs 
or kidneys, owing to the standing position and arched 
back. 

Treatment. — In all cases of Founder, administer 
Potassi Iodide, one ounce; Soda Bicarbonate, four 
ounces ; Potassi Nitrate, four ounces. Mix and give two 
tablespoonfuls in drinking water every six hours. If the 
animal will not take it in its water, place in gelatin cap- 
sule and give with capsule gun. 

Find out the true cause of the disease, if possible, and 
perhaps a physic will be indicated, containing Aloin, 
two drams; Ginger, two drams; place it in a capsule 
and give with capsule gun. If desired results are not 
obtained in eighteen hours, repeat the dose until there 
is an action of the bowels. Founder following excessive 
irritation of the stomach and intestines, or mares heavy 
with foal, should not receive phj^sics. Feed food that 
is easily digested, as carrots, kale, apples, potatoes, hot 
bran mashes, or steamed rolled oats, etc. 

It is well to elevate the hind quarters and give rectal 



46 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

injections of Warm Water and Glycerine. Stand in 
mud or water, or apply bags containing mud, bran or 
ice; in fact, anything that will have a cool, moist effect 
on the feet. 

After the inflammation of the feet has subsided, and 
the animal walks fairly well, you should apply a blister 
containing Red Iodide of Mercury, two drams; Lard, 
two ounces, around the top of the hoofs, and rub in well 
twice forty-eight hours apart. In some cases of Foun- 
der it is recommended to bleed the animal in the foot. 
If this is attempted, good disinfectants should be used, 
as lock-jaw might follow. 

GALLS. 

Cause. — Injuries from ill-fitting collars, saddles, 
harness, hobbles and scalping-boots. 

Treatment. — Remove the cause. Never wash a Gall 
with water, as this prevents its healing, nor use oils or 
salves, as they accumulate dirt, dust and germs, which 
may cause infection. The following application makes 
a very valuable dressing for Galls: Boracic Acid, one 
ounce; Corn Starch, one ounce; Tannic Acid, one-half 
ounce ; Iodoform, one dram. Powder finely and place in 
sifter-top can. Dust on Gall before going to work and 
on retiring. This heals and refreshes the Galls and 
wounds by forming a smooth surface over the part, which 
permits it to heal while the horse works. 

GREASE HEEL. 

Cause. — Parisitic fungi invading cracked heels. 

Symptoms. — Offensive discharge from the glands 
under the skin, and if not properly treated, red spots will 
appear, and the yellow discharge will form a hard crust 
sticking to the roots of the hair. 

Treatment. — Cleanliness is one of the most impor- 
tant measures. Also, good nourishing food. If the skin 



CAUSE, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 47 

is swollen and tender, poultice with hot Flaxseed Meal or 
bran. After the swelling and tenderness have abated, 
wash well with good Castile Soap and Warm Water. 
Dry with clean cloth and apply the following mixture : 
Calomel, one dram; Iodoform, one dram; Boracic Acid, 
one ounce. Mix well and apply two to three times a day. 
Feed green grass, carrots, kale, apples, or potatoes if 
possible, also feed hot bran mashes. In all cases of 
Grease Heel give the following physic: Aloin, two 
drams ; Pulv. Ginger, two drams. Place in a capsule and 
give with capsule gun. A physic has a very good effect 
on the blood, which assists materially in healing the 
cracks and nodules that appear in Grease Heel. 

GLANDERS OR FARCY. 

Cause. — Due to a specific germ called the Bacillus 
Malleii, or Bacillus of Glanders. Glanders, or Farcy, is 
very contagious, and is transmissible to man as well as 
animals. Cattle and sheep alone are immune. The dis- 
ease may be contracted at watering troughs, stables, 
horseshoeing shops, in boats, trains and by harness, bits, 
curry combs, bedding, pails, etc., as well as by direct con- 
tact with a diseased animal. 

Symptoms. — Animal does not thrive although the 
appetite is good at times; loss of flesh, and is subject to 
sweats, the hair looks rough, the temperature increasing 
slightly, perhaps two degrees, a cough is generally 
present. Legs and abdomen are swollen; discharge 
from the nose, sometimes tinged with blood and very 
sticky, the membranes of the nose look dusty, and ulcers 
or spots are visible if closely examined. The glands 
under the back of the ears and between the jaws are 
hard, lumpy and swollen. 

In addition to the above symptoms, Farcy affects the 
skin by producing swellings, or nodules, varying from 
the size of a pea to that of a hickory nut (called Farcy 
buds, or Farcy buttons), which are found inside of the 
hind legs under the abdomen, on the side of the chest. 



48 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

shoulder and neck, also around the nose, lips and face. 
Generally there is a discharge of greenish-yellow pus, 
which is veiy sticky. 

Glanders, or Farcy, may be mistaken for nasal ca- 
tarrh, nasal gleet, ulcerated teeth, nettle rash, lymphan- 
gitis, distemper, etc. Fortunately, this dreaded disease 
is not very prevalent in this country, as every precaution 
has been taken to stamp it out. 

No Treatment. — If at any time you have reason to 
think one of your animals has the disease, or even a 
neighbor's, or a transient horse, exhibits the symptoms, 
it is your duty to report the fact to the State Veterina- 
rian at once. You will do this if you have your own 
welfare and that of your neighborhood at heart. 

HEAVES. 

(Emphysema of the Lungs) 

Cause. — Fast or heavy work. It may follow Lung 
Fever or Pleurisy, or the animal may inherit weakness 
in the walls of the air-cells of the lungs. A very com- 
mon cause is feeding dusty or dirty hay, or bulky food. 
Horses that are accustomed to eating ravenously are 
often victims of Heaves. 

Symptoms. — Disease may develop slowly or rapidly. 
When the animal is at rest, the air is taken into the lungs 
in a more or less normal manner, but is expelled by two 
distinct efforts, the abdominal muscles aiding the lungs 
in expiration, as may be seen by the heaving of the 
flank; the movement of the ribs in breathing is scarcely 
noticeable in a heavy horse. A healthy animal, when at 
rest, will throw the air from the lungs in a single effort. 
The difficulty in breathing is constant and increases in 
proportion to the amount of food in the stomach and 
intestines. At the beginning of the attack there is a 
spasmodic cough, which is more or less intermittent; 
this develops later into a short, weak, suppressed cough, 
as if the animal lacked strength in his chest to expel a 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 49 

full breath, often accompanied by expulsion of wind 
from the anus, which is somewhat protruded. 

Treatment. — Feed good, nourishing food, but noth- 
ing that is of a bulky nature. Feed more grain and less 
hay, which should be dampened with water if dusty. Do 
not feed dusty, musty or bulky food, but give plenty of 
potatoes, apples, kale and green grass. Have your drug- 
gist make up one quart of Fowler's Solution of 
Arsenic, omitting the Tincture of Lavender. This is 
soothing to the organs of breathing, and should be given 
two tablespoonfuls three times a day on the feed. After 
a week or ten days you might increase the dose slightly. 
Although this Vi^ill make the horse work much better, do 
not give it with the hope of effecting a complete cure, 
as very few cases recover fully from this disease. 

INFLUENZA. 
{Pink Eye — Epizootic Catarrh) 

Cause. — Influenza is a specific and infectious fever, 
which shows a marked tendency to spread rapidly over a 
large area of country. It generally appears suddenly, 
without preliminary symptoms, and may become fully 
developed in twenty-four hours. 

Symptoms. — The usual symptoms are those of Ca- 
tarrh, although the bowels, lungs and brain complica- 
tions may be present, either singly or combined. It 
always gives rise to great weakness. The distinguish- 
ing characteristics of Influenza from Distemper, Sore 
Throat, and other diseases affecting the organs of 
breathing, are the suddenness of the attack, rise of tem- 
perature, varying from 103° to 106° F., pulse feeble 
and fast, and a pinkish, swollen appearance of the in- 
side of the eyelids. The animal is dull, in some cases 
almost unconscious. Sometimes the legs are very stiff 
and swollen, and there is great difficulty in moving 
about. 

Treatment. — Place the affected animal in a clean. 



50 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

well ventilated stall, avoid drafts, give pure water to 
drink with chill taken off, in small quantities but often. 
Blanket if the weather is chilly, hand rub the legs and 
bandage, give Quinine, two drams, in a gelatin capsule 
with capsule gun every four hours. In addition to the 
above, administer the treatment recommended for Acute 
and Chronic Coughs. 

Feed good, nutritious food that has a laxative effect 
on the bowels, as it is dangerous to give horses physic 
with this disease. Hot bran mashes, steamed rolled oats 
and vegetables are very beneficial. 

LAMPAS. 

Cause. — In young horses it is commonly caused by 
cutting teeth. In older animals it is usually due to indi- 
gestion. 

Symptoms. — A puffy swelling and redness of the 
gums. The animal may have difficulty in eating. 

Treatment. — In young animals, when cutting teeth, 
let nature take its course, but when an animal is five 
years or over, place two drams of Aloin, and two drams 
of Pulv. Ginger, in a gelatin capsule and administer with 
capsule gun. Then tone up the digestive organs by mix- 
ing one ounce of Pulv. Gentian Root, one ounce of Pulv. 
Nux Vomica, four ounces of Bicarbonate of Soda. Make 
into eight powders and give one powder in feed twice 
daily, or place in gelatin capsule and administer with 
capsule gun. 

LEECHES. 

{Hae^mopis) 

The leeches which suck the blood of the horse may be 
divided into two classes, the external parasites which 
attach themselves to the skin of the legs and adjacent 
parts of the horse, and the H^emopis Sanguisuga, and 
others of this class, which, not being able to penetrate 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 51 

the skin, endeavor to enter the mouth or nostrils of the 
horse when he is drinking or grazing in wet and leech- 
infected pastures. They sometimes cling to the mucous 
membrane of the eyes. The horse leech, which lives in 
the water, usually gains access to the mouth and nostrils 
of the animal, when young and not more than one-tenth 
of an inch long. They rarely go beyond the air and food 
passages, generally fastening themselves to the walls of 
the windpipe and gullet, where they cling till the animal 
dies from loss of blood or suffocation. They often cause 
bleeding from the mouth and nostrils, and may be seen 
by close examination. 

Treatment. — Endeavor to build up the condition of 
the animal with suitable food. Also feed liberal quan- 
tities of rock salt. Where the leeches cling tightly to 
the mucous membranes of the mouth and nostrils, it is 
well to cause the horse to inhale the vapor from hot 
water containing turpentine. 

LOCK-JAW. 

(Tetanus) 

Cause. — The bacilli of Tetanus are widely distrib- 
uted and can be found in practically every part of the 
globe. Their favorite place of production, however, is in 
barn yards and marshy ground. They are frequently 
swallowed by stock along with forage, and can often be 
found in recently expelled feces. The most favorable tem- 
perature for their development is about 70° F. They act 
by means of extremely virulent poisons which they pro- 
duce, and which causes the terrible symptoms that are 
characteristic of the disease. 

Symptoms. — The muscles of expression are usually 
the first brought under the continual spasm of tetanus, 
and when thus affected give the face of the animal a 
pinched and drawn-in appearance. The other muscles 
of the head and those of the neck are next attacked. The 
mouth is closed, the nose poked out, the head elevated. 



52 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

The muscles of breathing, and those of the limhs, be- 
come contracted so that the neck is hollowed, and the 
tail is raised, the horse stands with outstretched limbs. 
The animal shows great stiffness or rigidity in attempted 
movements. The eyes are sunken, and when startled 
or excited, the breathing is quickened and the flanks 
have a wrinkled or corrugated appearance. Death may 
quickly occur from continuous spasms of the muscles of 
the throat. Another sign is the flying up of the accessory 
eyelid when the animal is excited. 

Treatment. — Almost every medicine in the phar- 
macopoeia has been tried in the treatment of tetanus, 
certain remedies meeting with great success in the 
hands of some practitioners, and proving total fail- 
ures in the hands of others. It is, however, gen- 
erally admitted by the members of the profession 
that perfect quietness is of greatest importance in 
the treatment of tetanus. Place the patient in a dry, 
well ventilated, loose box stall, slightly darkened, if pos- 
sible, in an out-of-the-way place, and fill the ears with 
cotton-wool. Administer a full dose of purgative medi- 
cine (aloes eight drams) and follow with belladonna in 
a capsule or bolus. The body should be lightly clothed, 
and the animal placed in slings. Never give drench if it 
produces excitement. When the wound can be discov- 
ered, powerful antiseptics should be continually applied 
to its lowest depths. Arsenious acid, chloroform, hyos- 
cyamus, digitalis, belladonna, chloral hydrate, morphine, 
postassium bromide, carbolic acid, and many other medi- 
cines have been used, and some of them have been found 
beneficial. Belladonna is probably as good as any, and 
should be given freely. Inhalations of chloroform tem- 
porarily abate spasm, but the reaction afterwards is 
usually severe. Medicines which can be given in the 
drinking-water may be administered in that way. The 
food should consist of milk, eggs, beef-tea, wine gruel, 
and food of that description, easily taken and of a very 
nutritious character. Too great care or attention cannot 
ment consists of allowing a liberal quantity of good nu- 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 53 

possibly be bestowed upon the animal. The after-treat- 
tritious food — green food is preferable. Exercise daily 
for some time after recovery has taken place, and the 
work should be light and slow for a month or two. 

Preventive Treatment. — An antitoxin serum, if 
injected under the skin of a patient before a surgical 
operation, or immediately after the infection of a wound, 
is a most reliable safeguard against tetanus. It should 
always be used in districts where tetanus is prevalent. 
Its value subcutaneously is solely preventive, not cura- 
tive ; and it is of no use when once the disease has gained 
a foothold. 

LUNG FEVER. 

\ (Pneumonia) 

Cause. — Predisposition is largely accountable for 
this disease, which is more common to young horses than 
old; also, changes of temperature, introduction of for- 
eign bodies or liquids into the trachea (windpipe) and 
the bronchial tubes, inhalation of smoke or irritating 
gases, excitement, exposure to cold after clipping, turn- 
ing out to pasture from a warm stable, or injury to chest 
or ribs from being struck with a pole, etc. 

Symptoms. — Dullness in spirit; animal usually shiv- 
ers or trembles ; when this ceases the temperature rises to 
perhaps 103° to 106° F., pulse increases to sixty or 
ninety per minute, full and bounding; breathing short 
and labored and abnormally quidk, increasing to per- 
haps fifty inspirations per minute, whereas in health it 
does not exceed twelve or thirteen per minute. A cough 
is also likely to be present, and the animals remain stand- 
ing until they are on the road to recovery, or until death 
takes place. Other symptoms are constipation, feces 
covered with mucus or slime ; urination frequent, scanty 
and dark in color; appetite poor, but thirst great; the 
eyes look glassy and the membranes have an inflamed 
appearance. It is a good sign if the animal looks about 
freely. When the critical stage is past the temperature 



54 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

and pulse gradually fall, the appetite returns and the 
urine becomes more abundant, and takes on its natural 
color, the cough loosens, and the discharge from the 
lungs is profuse, and of a yellowish color, and the 
breathing becomes normal. 

Treatment. — ^Good care is of the utmost impor- 
tance. Place the horse in a comfortable, well ventilated 
stall, being careful to exclude drafts. Hand rub and 
bandage the legs with woolen cloth. Blanket the animal, 
give plenty of bedding and keep pure water before him 
at all times. Internally administer Quinine, two ounces ; 
Iodide of Ammonia, two ounces ; Ammonia Bicarbonate, 
two ounces. Mix well and make into sixteen powders. 
Place powder in gelatin capsule, and give with capsule 
gun every four hours. It is quite necessary that the 
above remedy should be placed in capsule, as drugs of 
this nature tend to irritate the throat. Do not give 
physics, as it is much safer to give laxative food, as hot 
bran mashes, steam rolled oats or some vegetables, in 
fact anything the animal will eat, i. e., that has food 
values. It is advisable to apply over the chest the fol- 
lowing liniment: Aqua Ammonia Fort, four ounces; 
Turpentine, four ounces; Raw Linseed Oil, four ounces. 
Mix and shake well before applying each time over the 
chest cavity. 

In case the animal is constipated, give rectal injec- 
tions of soap and warm water containing a few drops of 
Turpentine. 

MANGE. 
(Scabies) 

Cause. — Mange is a contagious disease, produced by 
the presence of a small parasite that varies in length 
from a fiftieth to a hundredth of an inch, according to 
the species, of which there are three: Sarcoptes, which 
generally affects the withers; Symbiotes Communis, af- 
fecting the legs, and the Psoroptes Communis, which 



CATJSEj SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 55 

affects horses about the root of the tail and mane. The 
latter is one most commonly found affecting horses. 
They multiply rapidly and are spread from diseased to 
healthy horses by their bodies coming in contact with 
one another, or by corrals, stables, railroad cars, etc., 
recently occupied by mangy horses. 

Symptoms. — The mange mite attacks the skin and 
produces a thickness of its outer surface, covering it with 
crusts and scabs, with a consequent loss of hair. In- 
tense itching accompanies the disease, and affected horses 
continually bite and rub themselves. 

Psoroptic Mange commences at the root of the tail, 
or at the roots of the mane on the neck or withers, and 
gradually spreads over the back, up to the head, over 
the sides, and finally affects the entire body. In cases of 
long standing the skin becomes ulcerated, the animal be- 
comes greatly weakened, emaciated and finally dies. 

Treatment. — When a large number of horses are 
affected (in one locality) it is best to prepare a vat and 
dip them, under the supervision of the United States 
Bureau of Animal Industry. When just a few horses 
become affected, the following has proven very effective : 
Sulphur, eight ounces ; Oil of Tar, eight ounces ; Sweet 
Oil, two quarts. Mix and apply liberally to the parts 
affected. A few applications are generally sufficient to 
eradicate the disease. 

LYMPHANGITIS. 

Cause. — This ailment is common with hard working 
horses, and is caused by confining them in the stable and 
allowing their usual amount of food. More nutriment is 
consumed than can be taken up by the system, which 
causes an irritation. It is frequently found in certain 
stables on Monday morning, hence its name — Monday 
Morning Disease. 

Symptoms. — Swelling and lameness, most usually 
affecting the hind leg instead of the thigh and extending 



56 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

down the leg in a hard ridge. It will pit on pressure, 
and cause intense pain ; the horse will have difficulty in 
extending the limb forward, the swelling may surround 
the leg entirely. Pulse will be fifty to sixty per minute, 
temperature 102° to 104° F., breathing will be faster 
than normal. The animal has great thirst, but the appe- 
tite is very poor; usually remains standing; if he lies 
down will have great difficulty in getting up. 

Treatment. — In this particular disease apply hot 
fomentations to the affected limb or limbs, for one hour, 
then rub dry and apply Camphorated Liniment. Give 
Nitrate Potassi, Chlorate of Potassi, Iodide Potassi, 
each four ounces. Mix and make into thirty-two pow- 
ders. Give one powder three times a day in drinking 
water or in a gelatin capsule and give with capsule gun. 

In most cases it is advisable to give a physic : Aloin, 
two drams ; Pulv. Gentian Root, one dram ; Ginger, one 
dram. Place in gelatin capsule and give with capsule 
gun. 

MUD FEVER. 

Cause. — Horses driven over muddy roads during the 
day and exposed to freezing weather at night, or driving 
them over muddy roads, then washing the limbs and not 
drying them properly, often produces a superficial in- 
flammation of the legs. 

Symptoms. — The legs are swollen, extremely hot and 
tender, the horse is stiff, the hair comes off the legs easily 
and if the cause is not removed severe complications may 
follow, as the secretions of the skin become greatly af- 
fected. 

Treatment. — Prevention. Horses that are driven 
over muddy, wet roads should have their legs rubbed dry 
when stabling them for any length of time. When the 
legs are badly swollen wash them with clean warm water 
and castile soap and dry them well with a clean soft cloth. 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT S7 

Then apply Zinc Oxide Ointment or a lotion made from 
Acetate of Lead, one ounce; Zinc Sulphate, one-half 
ounce. Place in a quart of clean water and apply twice 
daily. Either application is very beneficial in the treat- 
ment of Mud Fever. Feed the animal wheat bran mashes, 
steamed rolled oats, vegetables, etc., as they have a very 
good effect on the system which aids in relieving the in- 
flammation of the skin. 

NASAL GLEET. 

^{Chronic Catarrh) 

Cause. — Exposure to cold followed by neglect, and 
lack of nourishing food ; bruise or fracture of the frontal 
bones of the head; injury of the blood-vessels inside the 
bones, or an ulcerated tooth. May also be caused by 
tumor, or foreign substance or liquids in the nasal cavi- 
ties. Sometimes dried pus in the nostrils, resulting from 
a cold, will cause nasal gleet. 

Symptoms. — A white or yellowish discharge from 
one or both of the nostrils, the quantity varying with the 
severity of the attack and the length of time the disease 
has been established. If, when tapping over the nose 
below the eye, a dull sound is produced, it is safe to con- 
clude that the cavities are filled with pus ; to make certain, 
compare the sick animal with a healthy one; in some 
cases you will notice that even the bones of the nose below 
the eye are slightly elevated. The lining of the nose may 
be of a red or yellow color but not ulcerated in spots, as 
in Glanders. The animal may continue in good 
spirits and work well for a time but as the case develops 
he becomes lean in flesh and what is termed hide-bound. 
Always examine the teeth. In a case of long standing, 
the discharge has a fetid smell, differing in this respect 
also from Glanders. 

Treatment. — If not due to fractured bones of the 
head or ulcerated teeth, the animal will, in most cases, 
recover with proper medical treatment. When due to 



58 



DISEASES OF THE HORSE 



injury to the bones of the head, tumors, ulcerated teeth 
or dried pus in the nasal cavities, it is best to remove the 
diseased portion with the aid of bone chisel or tephine 
and treat the wound antiseptically. In the mild forms of 
nasal-gleet or chronic catarrh, administer the following: 
Ferri Sulphate, Potassi Iodide, Nux Vomica, each four 
ounces. Mix well and make into thirty-two capsules. 
Give one capsule three times daily and feed food that is 
nourishing and easily digested. 

NAVEL STRING INFECTION. 

{Umbilical Pyemia) 

Cause and Nature. — While the unborn foal 
(foetus) is in the womb of its mother, it is surrounded 
by enveloping membranes which constitute the after- 
birth on delivery. These membranes are attached to the 
wall of the womb and are connected to the foetus by 
means of the navel-string (umbilical cord) which is pro- 
vided with two arteries and a vein for the nourishment 
of the young creature and for the removal of its waste 
products. 

It also has a narrow canal (the urachus) which serves 
to remove the urine of the foetus ; in fact the subsequent- 
ly formed bladder takes its origin from a dilation of the 
urachus. Under normal conditions when the foal is born, 
respiration takes place, the umbilical arteries and veins 
become quickly blocked up, urine is discharged through 
the urethra (which communicates with the penis or va- 
gina, as the case may be), the foal enjoys a separate 
existence and the wound caused by the division of the 
umbilical cord leaves a scar which is known as the navel. 

It is usually supposed that the germ of navel-string 
infection gains admittance into the body through the ex- 
posed surface before the wound is closed. However, I 
am of the opinion that the mother is the bearer of the 
infection in a great many cases for in the uterine secre- 
tions of mares whose foals fell with navel-string infec- 
tion, the same characteristic germs were found as were 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 59 

present in the joints of the affected foals. The infec- 
tious material is, by the act of covering, conveyed from 
mare to mare, so that the mucous membranes of the 
womb becomes the habitat of the specific germ. By in- 
oculation of these germs into the blood stream of foals 
an illness is produced which in the smallest particular 
cannot be distinguished from that arising in naturally af- 
fected foals. It is a strange fact that when the infected 
germs are transmitted by the mother, their presence does 
not produce any disturbance in her. 

This is a very common malady in most places. I have 
known several instances on particular farms where they 
were unable to raise either foals or calves, but if the 
mother were removed to another farm immediately after 
or before foaling, the foal or calf lived and was reared 
without difficulty, and although constitutional debility 
plays an important part, the presence of specific germs 
constituting an infected area is, T believe, the most im- 
portant factor in producing this disease. 

According to my observation, about seventy-five per 
cent of the cases die within the first three weeks after 
birth. This high rate of mortality would be considerably 
diminished if proper treatment was adopted. 

Symptoms. — The attack usually comes on during the 
second or third week after birth and almost always be- 
fore the closure of the navel opening, which, in affected 
animals, will be found to be in a wet and suppurating 
condition. Occasionally foals two or three months old 
which have the urachus closed and are in an apparently 
healthy condition contract this disease in a form of pain- 
ful swelling of the joints. The first sj^mptoms are gen- 
erally dullness; more or less fever; lameness which is 
often attributed to rheumatism or to injury caused by 
the mare treading on foal; the disinclination to move 
or even to stand. Upon examination the patient will be 
found to have a soft, gelatinous swelling of one or more 
of the joints of which the hock, elbow, fetlock, stifle and 
hip usually manifest the enlargement most clearly. 



60 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

These swellings are hot and painful to the touch ; they 
tend to suppurate and frequently cause intense lameness. 
In very rare cases open urachus may exist without any 
joint inflammation. In this disease, inflammation of the 
joints and open urachus are almost always co-existent. 

Animals that recover from a bad attack are seldom 
worth the trouble of rearing, because as a rule their con- 
stitution becomes permanently impaired and one or more 
of their joints becomes stiffened by the attack. 

Treatment. — In the treatment of this disease, we 
have to attend to constitutional disturbances, inflamed 
joints, open urachus and complications such as constipa- 
tion and diarrhoea. The comfort of our little patient 
must be studied under all circumstances. If the weather 
be at all cold it should be covered by a warm sheet. 
Should the foal have any difficulty in rising from the re- 
cumbent position, an attendant should assist it to rise 
and see that it is regularly fed. It is only in extreme 
cases that the animal refuses to suck its dam. During 
warm weather, and especially if the ground is dry, such 
a patient is always better off for a little sunshine, but on 
no account must it be left out during extreme heat, as in 
this state it is very liable to sunstroke. The best food for 
the mare is grass, which during the day, she can generally 
have. The inflamed joints of the foal should be rubbed 
lightly with the following, after being thoroughly mixed : 
Red Iodide of Mercury, two drams; Vaseline, two 
ounces, every forty-eight hours, which, when applied to 
the skin, appears to have a well-marked antiseptic action 
on the underlying tissues. An inflamed joint should on 
no account be bathed with warm water, fomented or 
poulticed because the application of moist heat would be 
the best possible means for promoting the development 
of the infective germs which are the cause of the local 
and general disturbance. The open navel-string should 
not be ligatured because that operation is generally fol- 
lowed by an increased inflammation of the part, and by 
an aggravation of the other symptoms apparently on 



CAUSEj SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 61 

account of this outlet for deleterious products becoming 
blocked up. If the navel-string has been ligatured and 
is in an inflamed state, the ligature should be removed 
without delay. 'If the foal is constipated give two or 
three ounces of Castor Oil; also, administer the follow- 
ing: Zinc Sulphocarbolates, one-half dram; Hyposul- 
phite of Soda, four ounces. Mix and make into thirty- 
two powders. Give one powder well back on the tongue 
every four hours. 

As a supplement to the food, we may give brown 
sugar or treacle, both of which are easily digested and 
are very nourishing. Four or five eggs daily will also 
aid in keeping up the strength. 

NAVEL RUPTURE. 

( Umbilical Hernia) 

Cause. — Hereditary predisposition is well marked in 
this complaint. It may exist at birth, but so-called con- 
genital rupture may very probably be the result of the 
pulling which the navel-string underwent at the time of 
foaling. However, umbilical hernia usually occurs during 
the first two or three months after birth; that is to say, 
while the opening at the navel is becoming obliterated 
and the tissues at that place are becoming consolidated. 
They can, however, appear later and may result from 
more or less violent strains sustained when the foals are 
jumping or playing. At other times these strains are 
induced by intestinal irritation accompanied by diarrhoea 
or constipation with straining. But, however the strain 
may take place, the abdominal muscles contract and push 
the intestines towards the wall of the belly. Then if they 
find an opening or even a weak spot, like the ring of the 
navel while it is undergoing the process of becoming 
blocked up, they select it and a rupture is produced. 

Symptoms. — This rupture, the situation of which 
clearly shows its character, may vary in size from that 
of a hen's egg to that of an ostrich's egg. If pressed 



62 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

upon with the hand, especially if the animal is placed on 
its back, the rupture will disappear, to return, however, 
when the pressure is removed. If it be composed of in- 
testines it will be soft and elastic when the bowels are 
empty, but when they are full of semi-solid food they 
will be doughy. In any event, the tumor will feel elastic 
when composed of intestines, but when formed of its con- 
necting membranes, will naturally not vary in consist- 
ence. If intestines be present, movements and abdom- 
inal rumblings may be detected in it. This rupture 
rarely gives rise to serious consequences because its con- 
tents are composed of large intestines and omentum, 
either of which is, in this position, not liable to become 
strangulated. It may, however, become engorged and 
inflamed from injury. Its existence naturally depre- 
ciates the value of an animal suffering from it. 

Treatment. — Iti the majority of cases, they will dis- 
appear of their own accord in two or three months. In 
case the rupture shows no signs of diminishing in size it 
is well to apply a bandage around the abdomen. 

OPEN JOINT. 

Cause. — Injuries such as a kick from a sharp shoe, 
wire cuts, punctures from snags, or from probing a 
wound near a joint. Open joint is one of the most seri- 
ous accidents that may happen to a horse, for the sufferer 
is apt to die from the ensuing constitutional disturbance, 
and even if he recovers the joint will, in all probability, be 
permanentlj^ stiff. 

Symptoms. — If the joint is opened or severely in- 
jured the wound will have an ordinary appearance ex- 
cept that there may be a flow of joint oil from the in- 
jured oil sack. However, the discharge gradually be- 
comes more unhealthy until finally it is mixed with pus 
and blood and assumes a fetid odor. After two or three 
days the joint swells and becomes very painful and a high 
fever sets in. In unfavorable cases the animal dies from 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 63 

exhaustion very shortly, or at best recovers with a per- 
manently stiff joint. 

Treatment. — Never probe a wound near a joint. If 
the injury is small and noticed immediately, apply Red 
Iodide of Mercury, two drams; Vaseline, two ounces. 
Mix and rub in well over the wound. This will set up 
sufficient inflammation to close the opening and kill any 
infection that may be present, as it possesses powerful 
antiseptic properties. If the wound is large, wash with 
Bichloride of Mercury, one part to one thousand parts 
distilled water. The wound should be washed twice a 
day with this solution. Then dust the wound with Tannic 
Acid, one ounce ; Iodoform, one ounce ; Boracic Acid, one 
ounce; Calomel, one dram. Mix and place in sifter top 
can and apply this after washing each time. Then band- 
age the wound by first placing clean absorbent cotton 
over the wound. Do not attempt to syringe a solution 
into an opening or some of the solution may gain en- 
trance into the joint. Keep the animal as quiet as pos- 
sible and feed laxative food. 

PALESADE WORM. 

( Strongulus A rmatus ) 

This parasite thrives on marshy ground and is com- 
monly found in the United States and Canada. The 
body of the worm is gray in color, more or less stiff and 
straight and thicker in the front than in the hind part; 
it varies in length, the male measuring from three- 
fourths of an inch to one inch and the female from one to 
two inches. It may occur in an adult or an immature 
state. In the former it implants itself on the mucous 
membrane of the large intestines by means of its armed 
mouth, while in the latter it lives in cysts underneath the 
mucous membrane of the intestines and is sometimes 
found in the brain, testicles and liver. The immature 
worms which do not issue directly from the cysts get into 



64 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

the arteries and are carried by the force of the blood to 
all parts of the body. 

Symptoms. — Same as in Red Worm with the excep- 
tion of colicky pains caused by the worms blocking the 
arteries which carry blood to the intestines, thus inter- 
fering with the process of digestion. Where the worms 
enter the arteries of the limbs it results in lameness. It 
is a good plan to examine animals once or twice a year 
to insure them against this pest. 

Treatment. — Same as for Red Worm. 

PLEURISY. 

Cause. — Exposure to sudden changes of tempera- 
ture, confinement in ill-ventilated, damp stables, wounds 
penetrating the chest, fractured ribs, heart diseases. It 
also occurs in conjunction with Bronchitis, Influenza, 
etc. 

Symptoms. — Generally only one side of the lungs is 
affected and that being the right, although it may affect 
both sides at the same time. First you will notice the 
animal distressed, uneasy, shivering, the affected side is 
painful to pressure of the hand. The breathing is short 
and quick, and the flanks heave — which shows that the 
animal tries to breathe as much as possible, by the action 
of the muscles of the abdomen and not by the movement 
of the ribs. The nostrils are dilated. There is usually 
a short, dry, painful cough present, which is repressed 
by the animal as much as possible, so as not to shake the 
inflamed parts. Often when expelling air from the lungs 
the horse gives a painful grunt especially when made to 
move. The pulse is generally hard and faster than 
usual. The temperature in early stages may rise from 
104° to 106° F. If the ear is applied to the affected side 
a dry crackling or friction sound can be heard ; a groove 
along the lower portion of the ribs will extend back to 
the flank. Within two or three days the pulse will be 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 65 

softer and weaker, temperature will fall to 101° or 102° 
F. and there will be fluids form and the painful short 
breathing will disappear. The liquids may now undergo 
absorption if properly treated, and the case terminate 
favorably in a week or ten days. 

Frequently large quantities of fluid accumulate in 
the chest cavity that cannot be absorbed, the breathing 
becomes more difficult, short and quick, pulse becomes 
weak and rapid and the animal dies from exhaustion. 

Treatment. — Place the animal in a comfortable, 
roomy stall ; blanket if the weather is chilly, permit fresh 
air, but no drafts, as this is very important. Apply a 
paste made from Mustard and cold water over the chest 
cavity. Internally, administer Ammonium Iodide, Chlo- 
rate of Potash, Nitrate of Potash, each four ounces. 
Make into thirty- two powders and give one powder every 
two or three hours in gelatin capsule and administer with 
capsule gun. The diet is a proper means of keeping up 
the animal and is very important. Coax the animal to 
eat grass or vegetables, hot bran mashes or steam rolled 
oats. If there is a cough present, give the same treat- 
ment as recommended for Acute and Chronic Coughs. 

PIN WORM, THREAD OR MAW WORM. 

{Occyuris Curvilis) 

This worm when full grown is about one and three- 
quarter inches in length; its tail is thin and whip-like 
and head thick and terminating in a curve somewhat re- 
sembling the crook of a stick. The presence of these 
parasites may be detected by a light-yellow substance 
(the eggs of the worms) which adheres to the skin below 
the anus. Pin Worms like Round Worms frequently 
come awajT^ with the feces. 

Treatment. — Dissolve four tablespoonfuls Common 
Salt in one gallon of warm water and inject it into the 
rectum. When this has been expelled, follow with an in- 



66 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

jection per rectum of Turpentine, four ounces, to one- 
half gallon Linseed Oil. Elevate the horse's hind quar- 
ters so as to retain the injection longer. This will expel 
the worms and their eggs that cling to the walls of the 
rectum. The worms sometimes make their way so far 
forward that it is impossible to reach them with an injec- 
tion. In this case treat same as for Round worms. 

Where there is irritation produced about the tail the 
horse continuallj^ rubs and it is well to apply Mercurial 
Ointment to both tail and the anus. 

POLL EVIL. 

Poll Evil is so-called because it occurs in the region of 
the poll. It is not a constitutional disease, but comes, 
no doubt, from well marked causes, as from inflamma- 
tion set up and involving the bones and muscles in the 
region of the poll, and perhaps of the larger ligament. 
Owing to the low vitality of the parts and the action of 
the head in taking food, etc., the pus is apt to burrow 
deep into the muscle. 

Cause. — Direct or indirect injury. A common cause 
is striking the head against a low doorway or an ill-fit- 
ting halter or bridle. 

Symptoms. — Swelling just back of the ears on one 
or both sides of the head. The animal stands with the 
nose out ; slight heat in the parts, pain on pressure. In 
the first stages, it is merely inflammatory action. The 
second stage is suppuration, or there may be great swell- 
ing in some cases when there is but little pus formed. 

In other cases there is profuse suppuration and the 
pus makes its way out and discharges to the surface and 
sinuses are formed, which extend in various directions. 
Any abscess in this region is called Poll Evil. 

Treatment. — When the enlargement is first noticed 
in the region of the poll, I would advise the following: 
Red Iodide of Mercury, four drams ; Lard, four ounces. 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 67 

rub in well over the enlargement and perhaps this will 
prevent sinuses from forming, but when the cases are 
long standing and so-called pipes are formed, I would 
advise removing all diseased material and treat as an 
ordinary wound. 

PETECHIAL FEVER. 

(Purpura Haemorrhagica) 

Cause. — Constitutional weakness following some de- 
bilitating disease such as Distemper, Pink Eye, Catarrh 
and even following operations, when an animal becomes 
weak from want of exercise, in which case it gen- 
erally appears during his recovery. It is not infectious 
and cannot be transmitted by inoculations. 

Symptoms. — There is a slight swelling of the limbs, 
most likely to be about the hocks. The swelling may 
disappear by exercising, but will soon return. The swell- 
ings present a very abrupt appearance, nearly the same 
as if a string were tied around the limbs and swell very 
quickly, and symptomatic of Purpura. Exudations take 
place in which, if on white limbs, you will see little red 
spots, from which a liquid is oozing. The swelling is 
very painful and the entire limb may be swollen. Small 
vesicles appear on the limbs and also in the mucous mem- 
branes, and it is well to look at the mucous membranes 
before giving your opinion, as you will, no doubt, detect 
these spots, which may extend into the lungs. These 
spots increase and may run into each other. The mucous 
membranes of the nose may become a mass of corrupt 
matter. The upper lip may hang pendulous, which is 
due to the want of nervous stimulus. If the nostrils are 
swollen very badly, there is difficulty in breathing and if 
the animal is not able to take food, the symptoms are con- 
sidered very bad. The pulse varies much in some cases ; 
although the swelling is very great, the pulse may not be 
more than forty or fifty per minute. The temperature is 
elevated one to three degrees above normal, there may 



68 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

be a cough and a brownish colored discharge from the 
nostrils. The mouth and eyes become affected and, to- 
gether with the discharge from the nose, the horse is a 
loathsome looking object. In milder cases the appetite 
is retained, or the animal may take food one day and the 
next refuse it. The bowels are constipated as a general 
rule in the first stages of the disease and the urine may 
be of a dark color, may even contain blood. There may 
be a peculiar dropsical swelling of these petechial spots 
or it may show itself in connection with the eyes and 
there may be blood extravasation without outer symp- 
toms. This disease may effect the bowels, liver, lungs, 
etc. The animal usually stands, perhaps from the diffi- 
culty in moving the limbs. It is necessary to watch the 
case closely, for flies will attack him and he will be filled 
with maggots. Sloughing maj^ take place; the entire 
sheath or patches upon the body may slough off and there 
may be paralysis of the penis. 

Treatment. — Place the animal in a clean, light, 
comfortable stall. If the weather is cold, blanket. The 
following medicine is recommended because of its par- 
ticular effect on the blood in this disease: Chlorate of 
Potash, eight ounces; Iodide of Potash, eight ounces; 
Quinine Sulphate, eight ounces. Make into thirty-two 
capsules and give one capsule every six hours. Also ad- 
minister one ounce capsules filled with Spirits of Tur- 
pentine three or four times a day. Moisten the capsules 
with Sweet Oil and give with capsule gun. Feed hot 
bran mashes containing two or three ounces of pure 
Flaxseed meal. Also, feed vegetables, green grass, if 
possible. 

QUITTOR. 

{Fistula of the Foot) 

Cause. — Injuries. Horses working on rough stony 
roads are subject to punctures, pricks, bruises, corns, 
treads, etc., which end in pus formation which does not 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 69 

get a pendant opening and destroys the tissues with 
which it comes in contact. Finally it bursts, forms 
sinuses and pipes, as commonly called, at the top of the 
hoof. 

Symptoms. — Extreme lameness, heat, pain and 
swelling will show themselves about the top of the hoof. 
As a rule a Quittor develops slowly and is more or less 
painful during the first stages. After the sinus is formed 
and the pus discharges, the inflammation generally sub- 
sides. Its healing process is often delayed due to the 
diseased portion of the cartilages inside the horny hoof. 

Treatment. — Apply Flaxseed or hot Bran poultices 
to relieve the inflammation and hasten the formation of 
sinuses or pipes. Then with an ordinary syringe inject 
the following: Silver Nitrate, ten grains; Water, one 
ounce. Inject fifteen to twenty drops twice daily. Keep 
the food clean and the animal as quiet as possible. It is 
very disagreeable, as stated before, and the healing is 
very slow, but this must be naturally expected, as we are 
unable to provide the sinuses with good drainage. 

RED WORM. 

(Strongylus Tetr acanthus) 

The Red Worm varies in length from one-third to 
three and one-quarter inches, and is sometimes white, 
though it usually appears to be red because of the blood it 
contains. This parasite is found in all parts of the world. 
Its favorite haunt is marshy land. 

Symptoms. — Paleness of all visible membranes, eyes 
watery and inflamed, swelling of the sheath, legs, and 
lower surface of the belly; fetid diarrhoea, dullness, de- 
bility, emaciation, rough coat, and the presence of worms 
in the feces. The worms when first passed are bright 
red in color but after being exposed to the air they turn 



70 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

dafk and may easily escape the notice of the casual ob- 
server. 

Treatment. — Withhold all food for twenty-four 
hours, then place the following drugs in a gelatin cap- 
sule : Calomel, two drams, Barbadoes Aloes, three drams ; 
Ferri Sulphate, two drams. Give with capsule gun. 
Also place the following tonic in their feed: Pulv. 
Quassia, one ounce; Ferri Sulphate, two ounces; Pulv. 
Anise Seed, two ounces. Mix and make sixteen pow- 
ders. Give one powder two or three times a day in the 
feed. 

RHEUMATISM. 

Cause. — Exposure to cold rains, drafts, lying on 
damp ground when the blood is in poor condition. Also 
due to over-stimulating food. 

Symptoms. — Lameness, swelling or soreness which 
may shift from one place to another, then finally locate 
in or near one of the joints of the limbs. 

Treatment. — Take away all grains and feed laxa- 
tive foods such as potatoes, carrots, apples, kale and good 
hay. If the weather is warm turn out to pasture, but 
confine in warm stable at night. It is advisable to give 
a physic, as Aloin, two drams ; Gentian, one dram ; Gin- 
ger, one dram. Place in gelatin capsule and give at one 
dose with capsule gun, as its action on the blood has a 
very good effect. When the swellings are painful, apply 
Camphorated Liniment once or twice daily. Also, ad- 
minister the following tonic : Potassi Iodide, one ounce ; 
Nitrate of Potash, two ounces ; Chlorate of Potash, two 
ounces ; Pulv. Gentian Root, one ounce ; Ferri Sulphate, 
one ounce; Pulv. Anise Seed, four ounces. Mix well and 
make into twenty powders. Give one powder three times 
a day in bran or place in capsule and give with capsule 
gun. 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 71 



RING BONE. 

Cause. — Faulty conformation — a narrow or straight 
pastern joint is considered faulty. Be very care- 
ful in selecting a sire when breeding, as faulty conforma- 
tion is hereditary. Ringbone may also result when 
young animals are put to work on hard roads, or run- 
ning in stony pastures sometimes produces Ringbone 
before the bones have become properly hardened. Other 
causes are injury to tendons or ligaments, bruised joints, 
blows, calking, or picking up a nail. 

Symptoms. — Lameness will manifest itself when the 
horse first starts out in the morning; this may become 
less noticeable or even disappear temporarily as the an- 
imal works. They gradually grow lamer and examina- 
tion will disclose an enlargement at or around the top of 
the hoof. This may appear in one or more feet, but 
the front feet are more often affected. 

Treatment. — If the Ringbone is very much in- 
flamed, reduce the heat by applying cold water or ice 
packs to the part. Clip off all hair from around the top 
of the hoof and rub in well for twenty minutes the fol- 
lowing : Red Iodide of Mercury, two drams ; Pulv. Can- 
tharides, two drams; Turpentine, one dram; Pine Tar, 
two drams, and mix in two ounces of Lard. Apply the 
ointment every two days for a week and repeat same 
treatment in two weeks. Keeping the animal as quiet 
as possible will hasten its recovery. If the animal is 
comparatively young, recovery is certain, although the 
enlargement may never disappear. 

ROUND WORM. 

(Ascaris Megalcephala) 

Resembles the Earth Worm somewhat in shape, yel- 
lowish-white in color, stiff and elastic. When full grown, 



72 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

it varies in length from six to sixteen inches. These 
worms are usually found in the small intestines, although 
they sometimes invade the stomach, and when numerous 
seriously disturb the animal's health. 

Symptoms. — The animal's general health is affected 
as is evident from the morbid state of his appetite, rough 
coat, pot-belly, liability to colic and slight diarrhoea. 
Some of these worms are often expelled with the feces. 
As they increase in number, they block up the small in- 
testines, giving rise to colic, and may in time kill the 
horse. They sometimes cause perforation of the bowels. 

Treatment. — Withhold all food from eighteen to 
twenty-four hours, then administer the following : Ferri 
Sulphate, two drams; Antimony Tartrate, two drams; 
Pulv. Quassia, two drams. Place in gelatin capsule and 
give with capsule gun. Follow this from six to eight 
hours with Aloin, two drams; Ginger, two drams, and 
give as above directed. It is a good plan to repeat the 
above treatment in ten days to insure the removal of any 
worms which may have survived the first treatment. 

SCROTAL RUPTURE. 

( Inguinal Hernia ) 

Cause. — Abnormal size of the upper ring through 
which a part of the intestines or its connecting membrane 
descends into and through the canal leading from the 
abdomen to the scrotal cavity. There is little danger 
of strangulation from this form of rupture which may 
occur at birth and disappear with age. A careful exam- 
ination should therefore be made of the scrotum before 
castration. 

Symptoms. — In most cases, this condition is easily 
detected. The scrotum will be somewhat enlarged. Some- 
times the intestines will become strangulated and colicky 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 73 

symptoms appear. When a young male colt shows signs 
of colic, examine him for Scrotal Rupture. 

Treatment. — The trouble usually disappears with 
age although in some cases it is well to operate. Where 
colicky symptoms are present, roll the colt on its back, 
manipulating the scrotum. Diet carefully. 

SHOE BOIL. 

Cause. — Injuries, bruises or pressure when lying on 
a rough floor. Sharp heeled shoes and kicks also have 
a tendency to produce it. 

Symptoms. — A hot painful swelling of the Elbow 
joint when first noticed. When neglected, it takes on a 
white fibrous or callous growth. 

Treatment. — First remove the cause. Do not lance 
the enlargement ; let it come to a head of its own accord, 
by applying Red Iodide of Mercury, two drams ; Pulv. 
Cantharides, three drams ; Lard, two ounces. Mix well 
together and apply twice a week. When the swelling is 
hot and painful it is well to apply cold water or ice packs 
before applying the above mentioned prescription. 

SPLINTS. 

Cause. — This disease is chiefly produced by trotting 
or running on hard ground, etc. It is evident that horses 
with high knee action and heavy bodies are more liable 
to this disease. Jumping is also a common cause of 
splints, but the more accustomed a horse is to jumping 
the less liable he is to throw splints, because practice 
teaches the animal to regulate his movements so as to 
more or less diminish the disagreeable if not actually 
painful effect of concussion. 

Symptoms. — A splint is detected by grasping the 
horse's leg with the fingers upon one side and the thumb 
upon the other, and tracing the inner and outer splint 



74 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

bones from their heads downward to their tapering ex- 
tremities. Any actual enlargement will at once arrest 
the hand ; any rising or irregularity will create suspicion 
and lead to close examination. Horses, especially young 
ones which have lately been put to work, not infrequently 
develop splints before any swelling appears. For this 
reason, in examining a case of obscure lameness, partic- 
ularly if the animal is young, do not fail to look for the 
sign of splint lameness, namely ; that the lameness is ab- 
normally greater at a trot than at a walk and that the an- 
imal usually fails to bend the knees freely and grows 
worse with exercise. The last mentioned condition is 
also present with corns, but an examination of the foot 
will determine the question of their existence. In young 
horses splints are sometimes mistaken for coffin- joint 
lameness or navicular disease. To avoid this error, it 
should be remembered that, when brought on by navic- 
ular disease, the action of the limb improves with exer- 
cise; also that horses of five years of age or less very 
rarely suffer from coffin- joint disease. Some horses, 
owing to unusual development of the inner splint bones 
of the fore legs may appear to have splints, although 
careful examination may prove both limbs to be free 
from any bony deposit. When deciding such a point, 
note if the two inner splint bones are of the same size. 
Any swelling perceptible in a limb recently affected with 
splint-lameness is usually attended by heat and pain. 

Treatment. — If there is heat present, foment with 
hot or cold water; when heat has subsided, apply the 
following ointment : Red Iodide of Mercury, two drams ; 
Turpentine, twenty drops; Lard two ounces, and mix. 
Apply every forty-eight hours until three applications 
have been applied. Rub in for twenty minutes each 
time. 

During this treatment use the horse for slow work on 
soft roads, etc. As a rule the splints will not disappear at 
once, but gradually. I may add that common splints 
are not considered an unsoundness. 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 75 



SPASMODIC COLIC. 

Cause. — Horses seem to be predisposed to this form 
of oolic on account of the great length of their intestines 
which are apt to be telescoped, twisted or their circular 
muscular fibers spasmodically contracted. Perhaps the 
principal cause is a change of food, sudden change of 
temperature, constipation, drinking cold or too large a 
quantity of water, especially if the animal is warm ; over- 
loading the stomach with frozen or moudly food. Worms 
frequently produce colic. 

Symptoms. — If the animal is tied it will become un- 
easy, paw, point its nose to the flank, twitch the tail, lie 
down and get up frequently. If the animal is loose it will 
walk around, paw, kick at its belly with the hind feet, 
make attempts to lie down, roll on its back and remain 
in that position for a while. The pulse increases with the 
pain, temperature rises from one-half to one degree, 
breathing labored and fast, the animal sweats in spots, 
there may be diarrhoea present, but this does not fre- 
quently occur. 

Unfavorable symptoms of spasmodic colic are cold 
legs to the feet, points of the ears cold, trembling of the 
muscles, cold sweats, mucous membranes of the nose, 
mouth and eyes have a dark color due to the congestion. 

Treatment. — ^^In all cases of spasmodic colic, except 
where there is diarrhoea present or mares heavily in foal, 
give Aloin, two drams; Ginger, two drams. Place in 
gelatine capsule and give with capsule gun. It is advis- 
able to give rectal injection of Warm Water and Glycer- 
ine. They are soothing and cooling to the intestinal 
canal. Also give the following prescription : Pulv. Nux 
Vomica, four ounces; Carbonate of Ammonia, four 
ounces; Asafoetida, four ounces. Make into six pow- 
ders ; place one powder in gelatin capsule and give with 
capsule gun every two hours until relieved. The former 
prescription removes the cause as it is a physic. The 



76 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

latter contains medicines blended so as to counteract 
the spasmodic contractions of the bowels. It is also a 
heart stimulant, just what is needed in colic to keep up 
the animal's vitality. Beware of colic remedies that are 
given in drop doses. They contain drugs to relieve the 
pain only and do not remove the cause. When their 
effects are worn off, the disease has progressed ; the ani- 
mal's heart action has been weakened and chances are 
that the animal will die. If drenching is resorted to, it 
must be done with great precaution. Remember a horse 
cannot breathe through its mouth. 

SIDE BONES. 

Cause. — The chief causes of Side Bones are : Depri- 
vation of frog pressure, injuries, high heeled shoes, the 
use of which is almost entirely confined to draft horses. 
A high heeled shoe prevents the frog from resting on 
the ground which is its natural support. 

Symptoms. — Enlargement just above the hoof, 
usually affecting the front feet, or may affect onlj^ one 
side of one of the feet. The pain which produces the 
lameness is due to pressure on the soft tissues between 
the newly formed side bone and the hoof. Sometimes 
the enlargement has a tendency to spread the hoof. In 
such a case the lameness is not so severe. 

Treatment. — Clip the hair from over the Side Bone 
and rasp the foot below the enlargement, so that the hoof 
will be flexible on pressure from the fingers. Then apply 
the following to both the enlargement and the rasped 
surface of the hoof : Red Iodide of Mercury, two drams ; 
Pulv. Cantharides, four drams. Mix well in two ounces 
of Lard and apply every forty-eight hours until three 
applications have been applied. 

If you must work the animal, put it to some easy 
work where it has soft ground to walk upon. 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 77 

STAGGERS. 

(Forage Poisoning — Inflammation of the Brain) 
(Cerebral Meningitis) 

Cause. — Certain plants or stagnant water are most 
cxDmmonly instrumental in producing staggers; fre- 
quently seen in the early autumn months when the grass 
in the pastures becomes dry and certain forage remains 
green which contains toxic principles. These plants are 
ravenously eaten by horses on account of being green and 
tender. This is one of the common causes of the disease, 
although moldy, indigestible or highly nitrogenous 
foods are frequently productive of staggers. This form 
of staggers is not contagious, although what produces 
staggers in one horse will also produce it in another. In 
this way several horses may become affected with stag- 
gers at the same time. Inflammation of the brain may 
occur as a complication of some infectious or digestive 
disease. Other causes are blows on the head, tumors in 
or on the brain, which naturally cause the animal to 
stagger, as the brain controls the horse's power of loco- 
motion. 

Symptoms. — These vary to a certain extent, but a 
careful observer will detect some trouble connected with 
the nervous system, as the animal walking unsteadily, 
stepping high and keeping the legs spread apart, bracing 
itself to keep from falling. There is also great depres- 
sion, dullness and sleepiness with little or no inclina- 
tion to move about. The head may be placed against a 
wall or fence and the legs kept moving as if the horse 
were trying to walk. As the disease progresses and no 
attempts are made to relieve it, they will become frac- 
tious, nervous, easily excited, pawing and eventually fall, 
keeping the feet moving as if walking, throwing their 
heads about in a delirious manner and eventually death 
follows. The horse as a rule eats and drinks ravenously 



78 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

when the first signs of staggers are noticed, but in its 
latter stages the tongue and gullet become paralyzed 
and although the animal attempts to eat and drink he 
cannot swallow. The pulse varies. It is strong, but sub- 
normal when the first symptoms of staggers are noticed, 
that is to say, it is as slow as twenty to twenty-five 
beats per minute. As the disease progresses, however, 
it becomes weaker and faster. Constipation frequently 
accompanies this disease, also paleness tinged with yel- 
low about the mucous membranes of the mouth and eyes. 
In many instances I believe that the poisonous forage 
eaten by horses depresses the heart action to such an ex- 
tent that it results in the brain not receiving the proper 
blood supply, causing dizziness or staggers. 

Treatment. — Place the animal in a clean, dark stall, 
keeping the surroundings as quiet as possible. In its 
first stages it is easily treated, but as the horse becomes 
easily excited and his swallowing becomes difficult, treat- 
ment becomes more difficult. When the first signs are 
noticed, administer a physic as: Aloin, two or three 
drams ; Ginger, two or three drams, according to the size 
of the animal. Place in gelatin capsule and give with 
capsule gun. This physic removes the irritant from the 
intestines and prevents its absorption into the blood. 
Also administer the following: Bromide of Potassium, 
twelve ounces ; Nitrate of Potash, four ounces ; Iodide of 
Potash, three ounces. Make into twenty-four capsules 
and give one capsule every four hours. 

My method of administering medicine to animals 
places me in a position to treat them and compel them 
to take the medicine even though paralysis may exist. 
When animals will eat, feed food that is easily digested, 
as hot wheat bran mashes, steamed rolled oats and vege- 
tables and give small quantities, but not often, of clean 
fresh water. It is necessary to give stimulants and tonics 
as soon as they are on the road to recovery, as Pulv. Nux 
Vomica, four ounces ; Pulv, Gentian Root, four ounces ; 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 79 

Sulphate of Iron, two ounces. Make into sixteen cap- 
sules and give one capsule three times daily. 

STIFLE JOINT LAMENESS. 
(Dislocation of the Patella) 

Although dislocations are infrequent, this is the most 
common form which occurs in the horse. 

Cause. — Young loose jointed horses are predisposed 
to dislocation of the stifle on account of the comparative 
want of strength of their ligaments. They are much 
more liable to this accident than older horses, especially 
if they are in poor health or in rough hilly pastures ; the 
nature of which would naturally make them susceptible 
to this injury, which, however, may take place as a result 
of accident at any age. Young horses that suffer, off 
and on from dislocation, often lose their liability with 
increasing strength and age. This dislocation may be 
partial or complete. In the former instance and the most 
common is where the patella, or the little stifle bone that 
glides in the groove composed of the lower hip and upper 
thigh bones, has become partially dislocated or removed 
from its natural position. 

Symptoms. — When the dislocation is complete the 
affected limb is drawn forward, while the foot from the 
pastern down is drawn backward, and the animal may 
throw weight on it when made to move, which is accom- 
plished with great difficulty. When the dislocation is 
partial, the symptoms are about the same as mentioned, 
only the limb is less rigid. If the horse is moved, thp 
stifle makes a clicking sound. In this form both limbs 
may be affected. 

Treatment. — In partial dislocation, the stifle bone 
may be replaced by drawing the leg forward, and with 
the hand pressing in on the stifle. In complete disloca- 



80 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

tion, tie a rope around the pastern of the affected leg, 
then draw the rope through a collar placed around the 
horse's neck and draw forward as far as possible and 
tie. Then press with both hands inward. After the 
stifle is placed back into position use the following lini- 
ment: Aqua Ammonia Fort., four ounces; Oil of Tur- 
pentine, four ounces ; Raw Linseed Oil, four ounces. Mix 
and apply well over the stifle joint once or twice a day for 
two or three days. Feed nourishing food and put the 
animal to slow, easy work or turn out to srood nasture. 

In chronic cases of Stifle Joint Lameness, treat- 
ment is of no value, therefore, care for the animal as 
soon as the catch in the walk or lameness appears. 

STRING-HALT. 

Cause. — Several theories have been put forth as to 
the cause of String-Halt which is generally supposed to 
be a nervous disease; a condition opposite to paralysis. 
The exact cause of this disease is hard to determine, but 
it is likely to occur in highly nervous horses. It some- 
times follows an injury which may have irritated the 
nerves in some way. I believe that castration causes it 
in many instances, due to the severe struggle when being 
thrown, or pulling down severely on the spermatic cord 
when removing the testicle. 

Symptoms. — Spasmodic contraction of one or both 
limbs. This sign varies, as sometimes it is very violent, 
while in others it may be so slight that it is hard to detect 
when stepping the horse forward, but on backing or turn- 
ing the horse around the signs are easily noticed. All 
symptoms are better marked in the winter than in the 
summer, as some show it in the winter that do not show 
it in the summer at all. 

Treatment. — The feeding of laxative foods that are 
easily digested relieves String-Halt in many instances. 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 81 

SORE THROAT. 

( Pharyngitis — Laryngitis ) 

Cause. — Exposure to cold weather or rain when the 
animal is not accustomed to it ; drenching with irritating 
medicines or inhaling irritating smoke or gases. 

Symptoms. — At first the animal generally chills, the 
legs and ears are cold, but eventually they become very 
warm as the temperature increases, coughing, grinding 
of the teeth, saliva oozing from the mouth; the animal 
will hold its head in a stiff straight position, moving it as 
little as possible. There will be great difficulty in masti- 
cating and swallowing, as the food will come from the 
mouth in the form of wads, and as this soreness of the 
throat progresses food will also come from the nostrils. 
This is a bad sign, as extensive inflammation is no doubt 
present. Water, also, runs through the nostrils freely 
when the animal attempts to drink, due to the swollen 
condition of the throat. The animal forces the water 
back into the mouth, but is unable to swallow and hence 
the water gushes out through the nostrils. The animal 
evinces great pain when pressure is applied from the 
outside and he breathes with great difficulty. Although 
the pulse is not much affected at this stage, the temper- 
ature is elevated from one to two degrees above normal. 
The urine becomes scanty and highly colored, the eyes 
congested and discharging. Eventually the throat be- 
comes greatly swollen and abscesses may form and dis- 
charge. As a rule constipation is associated with this 
disease. 

Treatment. — Mild attacks of sore throat are easily 
treated, but when serious cases develop, treatment is un- 
successful. Place the animal in a clean, comfortable stall ; 
permit as much fresh air as possible, but avoid all drafts. 
If the weather is chilly, blanket the animal, hand rub the 
legs and bandage with woolen cloths or bandages. Ad- 
minister a mixture made from Chlorate of Potash, three 



82 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

ounces; Nitrate of Potash, three ounces; Tannic Acid, 
one-half ounce; Molasses, one-half pint; Pine Tar, one- 
half pint. Mix well and place about one tablespoonful 
on the tongue every two hours in severe cases; in mild 
attacks, give less frequently. When they will eat, feed 
food that is easily digested, as hot wheat bran mashes 
and steamed rolled oats containing two or three ounces of 
pure ground flaxseed. It is always necessary to apply 
strong liniments to the throat, as they relieve inflamma- 
tion and stimulate the formation of an abscess. The 
following liniment v^ill be found very beneficial: Aqua 
Ammonia Fort., four ounces; Oil of Turpentine, four 
ounces ; Sweet Oil, six ounces ; shake well and apply two 
or three times daily. If the swelling is extreme between 
the jaws, so as to interfere with the animal's breathing, 
it is well to lance the abscess if a soft spot can be found. 
Just cut through the skin with a knife ; then use a clean 
blunt instrument to locate the pus cavity. Otherwise, 
severe hemorrhage may be produced. 

SURFEIT. 

( Nettie-Rash — Urtecaria ) 

Cause. — The usual cause of Surfeit is supposed to be 
due to a character of food consumed which upsets the 
animal's digestive organs, the skin being continuous 
with the mucous membranes lining the intestinal canal. 
A disturbance of one structure is readily communicated 
to the other. Apparently, owing to the extremely dry na- 
ture of the forage during the greater part of the year, 
horses in the United States frequently suffer from Sur- 
feit. 

Symptoms. — Surfeit is a term applied to an eruption 
of small irregular humps or boils which are more or less 
painful to the touch and which break out suddenlj^ as a 
rule on the horse's bodj^ and neck, and in rare cases on 
the legs. A favorite seat of Surfeit is the parts covered 
with the harness or saddle and along the neck and with- 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 83 

ers. Surfeit is very troublesome and annoys both the 
horse and driver, especially when the horse perspires, as 
he will rub violently when coming in contact with any 
object. 

Treatment. — Give two to four ounces of Epsom 
Salts in hot wheat bran mashes every morning. Feed as 
much sloppy food as possible, vegetables, etc. Avoid 
feeding dry woody hay, as it irritates the intestines and 
aggravates the disease. 

SWEENEY. 

{Atrophy) 

Cause. — An ill fitting collar, one tug longer than 
the other, striking an object when pulling, like a stone 
or a corner of a building, slipping, kicks, or the animal 
may have a splint, sprain, ringbone, sidebone, coffin- joint 
lameness, curb, corns, stifle lameness, in fact anything 
that tends to make an animal favor the use of certain 
muscles. It is not a disease, just a lack in the develop- 
ment of the muscles, which waste away or shrink when 
not used as nature provided. For instance, perhaps you 
have had or have seen persons that had a fractured leg 
or arm the muscles of which through lack of use had 
wasted away (Atrophy), until they were used normally 
for sometime, when the muscles again came back to their 
normal size. 

Symptoms. — First locate the cause. The animal may 
be very lame although I have seen Sweeneys where lame- 
ness was very hard to detect, being those which were 
usually due to ill fitting collars. Remember you can have 
a Sweeney of the hip as well as the shoulder, and keep 
in mind the above mentioned cases. 

Treatment. — When you have an animal affected 
with Sweeney, find the true cause and remove it if pos- 
sible. Unless the Sweeney is a chronic one, it is 
successfully treated with Aqua Ammonia Fort., four 



84 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

ounces ; Turpentine, four ounces ; Sweet Oil, four ounces. 
Mix and apply well over wasted muscles once a day. If 
the application is too irritating, as some horses have 
thinner skins than others, it is advisable to add more 
Sweet Oil than above mentioned. 

TAPEWORM. 

{Taenia) 

These worms have been found in the horse, but so 
rarely that they need not be considered. 

THOROUGHPIN. 

Cause. — Generally due to some irritation of the hock 
joint such as severe sprains from animal jumping, slip- 
ping, kick or falling through a culvert or bridge or it is 
frequently hereditary; so be very careful in choosing a 
sire when breeding. 

Symptoms. — Sometimes there is lameness when the 
Thoroughpin is first noticed, but it will gradually disap- 
pear as soon as the inflammation ceases. There will be 
a puffy, soft enlargement which occurs at the upper and 
back part of the hock, beneath the great tendons. Gen- 
erally both sides are enlarged and puffy, but occasionally 
it happens that one side only is involved. Thoroughpin 
is also a forerunner of Bog Spavin, as they generally are 
connected; as you are aware the hock contains joint 
oil as all other joints do, retained in place by a thin, white 
fibrous membrane. Irritation of the hock joint tends to 
develop an extra large quantity of joint oil, and the hock 
is less protected by tendons where a Thoroughpin or Bog 
Spavin occurs — hence those puffy swellings are filled 
with joint oil and are connected. If you press on one 
side of a Thoroughpin, you will see the other side bulge 
out. If you press on a Bog Spavin and there is a Thor- 
oughpin present, you will see it bulge on either side of 
the Thoroughpin — or vice versa. 



CAUSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 85 

Treatment. — If on an old horse and the Thorough- 
pin is of long standing, treatment is unsatisfactory, but 
on the other hand, if the animal is young it can be suc- 
cessfully treated with Tincture of Iodine, one ounce; 
Gum Camphor, two ounces; Gasolene, one pint. Mix 
well and rub in with nail or tooth brush twice a week. 
Keep the animal quiet as possible, as the results will be 
accomplished much sooner. Never attempt to open or 
lance a puffy swelling about a joint, as it contains joint 
oil. The result would be an open joint. 

THRUSH. 

Cause. — The two main causes of Thrush are lack of 
pressure on the frog and the decomposing effect of filth 
and fermentation of organic matter which accumulates in 
the cleft of the frog. 

Symptoms. — The animal in some cases is lame ; there 
will be a swelling accompanied by a very fetid discharge ; 
in some cases the frog has practically rotted away ; there 
will be more or less inflammation in the foot. The legs 
may even swell. Thrush is more frequently found in the 
hind feet because of the manure and filth with which they 
must come in contact. 

Treatment. — ^Cut away all loose pieces of horn from 
over the frog and apply a Flaxseed meal poultice and 
leave it on for twenty- four hours, after which wash well 
with Soap and warm water. Then apply Calomel to the 
groove in the frog. Keep the foot clean. Do not allow 
the animal to stand in filth. 

WIND COLIC. 

(Flatulent Colic) 
Cause. — This dangerous form of Colic is a distension 
of the bowels with gas, resulting generally from the de- 
composition of undigested food in the bowels. It some- 
times follows Spasmodic Colic, in which there is first 
spasms due to the irritations set up by the presence of 



86 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

undigested matter, and subsequently this food decom- 
poses and forms gas. I may conclude that Flatulent or 
Wind Colic is usually caused by errors in feeding and 
watering horses. Perhaps the animal has been given 
large quantities of rank grass, watery roots, which on 
accoimt of its moist nature is quicldy swallowed without 
being properly masticated. 

Symptoms. — The signs resemble those of Spasmodic 
Colic, except that they are less violent. In most cases 
there I.s general accumulation of gas, the abdomen dis- 
tended to a considerable size before the animal shows 
signs of uneasiness. In cases where the animal swells 
on the right side, it is the large intestines filled with 
gas. In other cases where both sides are equally swollen, 
the stomach and small intestines contain gas. The 
horse's back will have an arched appearance, passing gas 
from the anus frequently, and the horse will make at- 
tempts to vomit. In some cases actual vomiting takes 
place. This is a bad sign, as rupture of the stomach 
usually occurs at this stage. 

Treatment. — ^Give Aloin, two drams; Ginger, two 
drams, in gelatin capsule and give with capsule gun. 
However, this is a physic and should not be given to 
mares heavily in foal. Also apply to the abdominal cav- 
ity liniment consisting of Aqua Ammonia Fort., four 
ounces; Oil of Turpentine, four ounces; Sweet Oil, four 
ounces. Mix and rub in well over the abdomen. 

To mares heavy with foal, apply the above liniment 
and give rectal injections of Glycerine and warm water 
frequently. 

The following remedy should be administered to all 
cases of Colic, including mares heavy with foal: Aro- 
matic Spirits of Ammonia, six ounces; Turpentine, six 
ounces. Mix well together and place one ounce in gela- 
tin capsule and give with capsule gun eveiy hour. Punc- 
turing the intestines is advisable in some cases to relieve 
them of gas. This requires a special instrument for the 
purpose and no one should attempt to perform the opera- 



CATJSE^ SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 87 

tion unless they know the anatomy of the part, as the 
arteries of the intestines may be penetrated, and produce 
internal hemorrhage or infection of the intestines, or 
albscesses may follow. 

WIND GALLS. 

Cause. — By concussions from fast work on hard 
roads and from sprains from slipping. 

Symptoms. — When concussions alone are responsi- 
ble, the suspensory ligament and the back tendons will at 
first be in a normal condition, and the swelling will prob- 
ably be confined to both the inside and outside of the leg 
and may be felt in the form of a puffy swelling on each 
side of the fetlock by placing the fore finger and the 
thumb on the joint. In more serious cases resulting from 
sprains, the vacant space between the back tendons and 
the suspensory ligament may also become filled with 
fluids. In other words, a Wind Gall has formed. In 
some cases the animal may be lame. 

Treatment. — Wlien there is heat present apply 
cold, wet packs until the heat disappears. Then apply 
Tincture of Iodine, one ounce; Gum Camphor, two 
ounces; to one pint of Gasolene. Apply every three 
days with nail or tooth brush. Shake contents of the 
bottle well each time before applying. 

I may add that this is a very difficult blemish to treat 
and is not always successful, so do not be discouraged if 
the enlargements do not disappear, but the above pre- 
scription has proven the most successful of any treat- 
ment I have personally used in my private practice. 

WOUNDS. 

Wounds caused by external injuries have a general 
resemblance, and whether clean-cut, punctured, lacer- 
ated, poisonous, gunshot, etc., require practically the 
same treatment. 



88 DISEASES OF THE HORSE 

Treatment. — Wash with a Carbolic solution, one 
tablespoonful to one pint of distilled water. 

Sewing of Wounds. — I eannot say that I am in 
favor of sewing wounds unless they are gaping or wide 
open. 

After the wound is washed, dust with Iodoform, Bo- 
racic Acid and Tannic Acid, each one ounce. Powder 
finely and place in a sifter top can and apply twice daily. 
Cord or heavy thread may be used for sewing the wound 
after being saturated in a Carbolic Acid solution, using 
a large needle. If the animal is vicious, place a 
twitch on his nose or it may be necessary to throw him. 



INDEX 



Abortion 10 

Abscess 10 

Acute Cough 29 

Anemia 11 

Aphthae 13 

Ascaris Megalcephala 71 

Atrophy 83 

Azoturia 13 

Barrenness 15 

Bleeding 16 

Blood Poisoning 16 

Bog Spavin 17 

Bone Spavin 18 

Bots 19 

Brain Inflammation 77 

Bronchitis 20 

Capped Hock 22 

Capped Knee 22 

Caries Teeth 35 

Castration 23 

Catarrh, Chronic 57 

Catarrh, Epizootic 49 

Catarrh, Nasal 29 

Cerebral Meningitis 77 

Choking 25 

Chronic Catarrh 57 

Chronic Cough 29 

Clinical Thermometer 5 

Coffin Joint Lameness 26 

Cold 29 

Colic, Flatulent 85 

Colic, Spasmodic 75 

Colic, Wind 85 

Colt Constipation 30 

Colt Diarrhoea 31 

Conjunctivitis 42 

Constipation 27 

Constipation, Colt 30 

Corns 27 

Cough, Acute 29 

Cough, Chronic 29 

Cracked Heels 32 

Curb 37 

Dentistry 32 

Diarrhoea 38 

Diarrhoea in Colt 31 

Diseases of the Eye 42 

Dislocation of the Patella... 79 

Distemper 39 

Dropsy, Belly 40 

Dropsy, Chest 40 

Dropsy, Legs 40 



Dropsy, Sheath 40 

Dropsy, Udder 40 

Eczema 41 

Emphysema of the Lungs... 48 

Epizootic Catarrh 49 

Eye Diseases 42 

Failure to Breed 15 

Farcy 47 

Fever, Petechial 67 

Filariae 44 

Fistula of the Foot 68 

Fistulous Withers 43 

Forage Poisoning 77 

Founder 44 

Flatulent Colic 85 

Galls 46 

Gastrophilis 19 

Glanders 47 

Grease Heels 46 

Haemopis 50 

Heaves 48 

Heels, Cracked 32 

Hemorrhage 16 

Hernia, Inguinal 72 

Hernia, Umbilical 61 

Hock, Capped 22 

How to Examine Teeth 33 

Infection of the Navel String 58 

Inguinal Hernia 72 

Inflammation of the Brain... 77 

Inflammation of the Eye. ... 42 

Influenzia 49 

Irregular Teeth 33 

Knee, Capped 22 

Laminitis 44 

Lampas 50 

Laryngitis 81 

Leeches 50 

Lockjavvr 51 

Lung Fever 53 

Lymphangitis 55 

. ]\Iange 54 

Maw Worm 65 

Meningitis 77 

Worm, Pin 65 

Mud Fever 56 

Nasal Catarrh 29 

Nasal Gleet 57 

Navicular Disease 26 

Navel Rupture 61 

Navel String Infection 58 

Nettle-rash 82 



Normal Pulse Throbs 9 

Normal Temperature 6 

Open Joint 63 

Oryuris Curvilis 65 

Palesade Worm 63 

Patella Dislocation 79 

Petechial Fever 67 

Pharyngitis 81 

Pin Worm 65 

Pink-eye 49 

Pleurisy 64 

Pneumonia 53 

Poisoning, Forage 77 

Poll Evid 66 

Pulse 7 

Purpura Haemorrhagica .... 67 

Pyemia 16 

Quittor 68 

Red Worm 69 

Rheumatism 70 

Ring Bone 71 

Round Worm 71 

Rupture, Scrotal 72 

Scabies 54 

Scrotal Rupture 72 

Septicaemia 16 

Shoe Boil 73 

Side Bones 76 

Spasmodic Colic 75 

Spavin, Bog 17 

Spavin, Bone 18 

Splints 73 

Sore Throat 81 

Staggers 77 



Stifle Joint Lameness 79 

String-halt 80 

Strongulus Armatus 63 

Strongylus Tetracanthus ... 69 

Supernumerary Teeth 36 

Surfeit 82 

Sweeney 83 

Taenia 84 

Tapeworm 84 

Teeth, Irregular 33 

Teeth, Supernumerary 36 

Teeth, Ulcerated 35 

Teeth, Wolf 36 

Temperature During Health 6 

Tetanus 51 

Thermometer, Clinical 5 

Thoroughpin 84 

Thread Worm 44 

Thrush 85 

Ulcerated Teeth 35 

Umbilical Hernia 61 

Umbilical Pyemia 58 

Urtecria 82 

Use of the Clinical Ther- 
mometer 5 

Wind Colic 85 

Wind Galls 87 

Wolf Teeth 36 

Worm, Thread 44 

Worm, Palesade 63 

Worm, Maw 65 

Worm, Red 69 

Worm, Round 71 

Wounds 87 



3/f77--115 
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